embryo

US /ˈem.bri.oʊ/
UK /ˈem.bri.oʊ/
"embryo" picture
1.

an unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development, in particular a human offspring during the period from approximately the second to the eighth week after fertilization (after which it is usually termed a fetus).

:
The doctor explained the development of the embryo.
Research on human embryos raises ethical concerns.
2.

a thing at an early stage of development; rudimentary stage.

:
The idea is still in its embryo stage.
The project is just an embryo of what it could become.