Egg

Pronunciation: /eg/

Category: Reproduction

Singular: Egg

Plural: Eggs

Definition

The reproductive body produced by female insects and arachnids, consisting of an embryo enclosed in an outer shell or membrane.

Etymology

Old English 'æg', akin to Old Norse 'egg', Gothic 'agga', and Latin 'ovum'.

Example

The silkworm lays its eggs on the underside of leaves, where they later hatch into caterpillars.

Synonyms

Ovum

Related Terms

Larva
Nymph
Pupa
Embryo

Usage Notes

The term 'egg' is used broadly to refer to the initial stage of development in the life cycle of insects and arachnids. The size, shape, and number of eggs can vary greatly among species.