(~s, ~ding, ~ded)
1.
A ~ is a small pointed lump that appears on a tree or plant and develops into a leaf or flower.
Rosanna’s favourite time is early summer, just before the ~s open.
N-COUNT
2.
When a tree or plant is ~ding, ~s are appearing on it or are beginning to open.
The leaves were ~ding on the trees below.
VERB: usu cont, V
3.
see also ~ding , cotton ~ , taste ~
4.
When a tree or plant is in ~ or has come into ~, it has ~s on it.
The flowers are bronzy in ~ and bright yellow when open.
...almond trees that should come into ~ soon.
PHRASE
5.
If you nip something such as bad behaviour in the ~, you stop it before it can develop very far. (INFORMAL)
It is important to recognize jealousy and to nip it in the ~ before it gets out of hand.
PHRASE: V inflects