Embryo

n. [N. Lat. embryo, embryon, Fr. embryon, Gr. ἔμβρυον, i. e., τὸ ἐντὸς βρύον, from ἐμ, for ἐν, in, and βρύειν, to be full of, to swell with, especially of plants.] The first rudiments of an organized being or thing, whether animal or plant, as, the young of an animal in the womb; or, more specifically, before its parts are developed and it becomes a fetus; or the rudiments of an undeveloped plant.

In embryo (Fig.), in an incipient or undeveloped state; in conception, but not yet executed.

The company little suspected what a noble work I had then in embryo. Swift.