Bulb

Pronunciation

• IPA: /bÊŒlb/, /boÊŠlb/
• Rhymes: -ÊŒlb

Origin

From Middle French bulbe, from Latin bulbus ("bulb, onion"), from Ancient Greek βολβός (bolbos, "plant with round swelling on underground stem").

Full definition of bulb

Noun

1. Any solid object rounded at one end and tapering on the other, possibly attached to a larger object at the tapered end.the bulb of the aorta
2. A light bulb.
3. The bulb-shaped root portion of a plant such as a tulip, from which the rest of the plant may be regrown.
• 2005, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. Stephanus pagination.the plants which grow in the earth from seed or bulbs.
4. (nautical) a bulbous protuberance at the forefoot of certain vessels to reduce turbulence.

Related terms

Derived terms

Verb

1. (intransitive) To take the shape of a bulb; to swell.

Anagrams

• blub