a small body in seed-bearing plants that consists of the integument(s), nucellus, and embryo sac (containing the egg cell) and develops into the seed after fertilization
2. zoology
an immature ovum
Derived forms
ovular (ˈovular)
adjective
Word origin
C19: via French from Medieval Latin ōvulum a little egg, from Latin ōvum egg
ovule in American English
(ˈɑvˌjul; ˈoʊˌvjul)
noun
a small egg or seed, esp. one in an early stage of development
; specif.,
a. Botany
a structure in seed plants consisting of a nucellus that contains an embryo sac:it develops into a seed after fertilization
see also amphitropous, anatropous, campylotropous, orthotropous