primordium

[ prahy-mawr-dee-uh m ]
/ praɪˈmɔr di əm /

noun, plural pri·mor·di·a [prahy-mawr-dee-uh] /praɪˈmɔr di ə/. Embryology.

the first recognizable, histologically differentiated stage in the development of an organ.

Origin of primordium

1665–75; < Latin prīmōrdium, in plural: beginnings, elementary stage, equivalent to prīm(us) first (see prime) + ōrd(īrī) to begin + -ium -ium; cf. exordium

Example sentences from the Web for primordium

British Dictionary definitions for primordium

primordium
/ (praɪˈmɔːdɪəm) /

noun plural -dia (-dɪə)

biology an organ or part in the earliest stage of development

Medical definitions for primordium

primordium
[ prī-môrdē-əm ]

n. pl. pri•mor•di•a (-dē-ə)

An aggregation of cells in the embryo indicating the first trace of an organ or structure.