/ bʌd; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a small lump that grows on a plant and from which a flower, leaf or stem develops :
the first buds appearing in spring
The tree is in bud already.
2.
a flower or leaf that is not fully open
—picture at plant
3.
( NAmE , informal ) = buddy :
Listen, bud, enough of the wisecracks, OK?
—see also cotton bud , rosebud , taste bud
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IDIOMS
see nip verb
■ verb
[ v ] to produce buds
••
WORD ORIGIN
noun senses 1 to 2 and verb late Middle English : of unknown origin.
noun sense 3 mid 19th cent.: abbreviation of buddy .