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embryonic state

embryonic state

1 6.5
An early stage when an idea or plan is not yet developed
  • noun
  • /ˌɛm.briˈɑ.nɪk steɪt/
translation icon : estado embrionario
  • These institutions—the European Parliament, for example—are in only an embryonic state.
  • only in an embryonic state

You just change the timing or the balance between pluripotency or an embryonic state and differentiation.

Examples

  • As long as the cell gets to the embryonic state, why worry about the mechanics of the process?

    Blog text (17)
  • "Yakuts food is in an embryonic state," he said.

    Blog text (26)
  • The enthusiasm and financial support of the Medici were, at best, still in an embryonic state in 1418.

    Academic text (2015)
  • These included a low level of coordination of police activities, market liberalization, the relaxation of border controls on goods and persons, and the fact that modern customs systems that focus on the smuggling of illicit addictive substances were then only in an embryonic state.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The project is still in its embryonic state, requiring more funding and development before it can be launched.

  • The company's ideas are only in an embryonic state, but they show great potential for future growth.

  • The research is at an embryonic state, with scientists just beginning to explore its possibilities.

Synonyms

infancy
vsembryonic state
35 3.7

The very early time when something is just starting

is similar but highlights undeveloped status rather than merely beginning
youth
vsembryonic state
9 1.6

The early time in the life of something

is more neutral, stressing undeveloped quality rather than active growth
in infancy
vsembryonic state
3 4.6

An early stage of development, like a new business or idea

is the general label for an early undeveloped phase
embryonic stage
vsembryonic state
  • Specialized
1 5.5

An early part of an animal or plant's life when it is still very small

is the general term for any early undeveloped stage not only biological
germinal stage
vsembryonic state
  • Specialized
7.2

The first stage when a project or living thing begins to form

is a broader word for early undeveloped stages beyond first origin
nascence
vsembryonic state
9.9

The time when something first begins to exist, like an idea or a civilization

is broader, meaning any early undeveloped stage after origin
nascency
vsembryonic state
9.9

The time when something first appears

refers instead to the undeveloped state following that initial coming into being

Antonyms

379 4.0

At a very high level of skill, knowledge, or development

91 3.5

To become fully grown or developed

How Developed

development
357 2.5
embryonic state
1 6.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

embryonic + state

The meaning is directly compositional: 'embryonic' means nascent or undeveloped and 'state' means condition, so 'embryonic state' straightforwardly denotes an early or undeveloped condition. This adjectival + noun pattern is common cross-linguistically, making the phrase predictable for a learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

The phrase embryonic state comes from the word embryo, the very early form of a baby animal or plant before it grows. Because an embryo is small and not yet formed, the phrase means something is in an 'early, undeveloped stage'.