Ovule
/ˈoʊ.vjuːl/noun
A small structure in seed plants that develops into a seed after fertilization; in animals, an egg cell.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *ovum* (“egg”), the same ancient root behind “oval,” because an ovule was originally understood as a tiny egg-like body in plants.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂ōwyóm
“egg”
Latin
Latin
ovum
“egg”
Late Latin
Latin
ovulum
“little egg”
16th Century
French/Latin
ovule
“a small egg-like body; later, the plant structure”
Modern English
English
ovule
“the seed-producing structure of a plant; an egg cell”