bud

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 a small lump that grows on a plant and from which a flower, leaf or stem develops: the first buds appearing in spring * The magnolia tree is in bud already. 2 a flower or leaf that is not fully open 3 (AmE, informal) = BUDDY: Listen, bud, enough of the wisecracks, OK? seealsoCOTTONBUD, ROSEBUD, TASTEBUD IDIOMS see NIPv. verb [V] to produce buds