bulb
nounverbcommon in dialogue
- //ˈbʌlb//
- //ˈbʌb//
The bulb-shaped underground portion of a plant such as a tulip, consisting of a shortened stem and many fleshy scale leaves, from which the rest of the plant may be regrown.
noun
- 1
The bulb-shaped underground portion of a plant such as a tulip, consisting of a shortened stem and many fleshy scale leaves, from which the rest of the plant may be regrown.
the plants which grow in the earth from seed or bulbs.
Once it [a snowdrop variety] became established, some bulbs were lifted and passed on to be chipped (i.e. cut into small pieces and grown on).
- 2
datedThe medulla oblongata.
- 3
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
- 4
Any solid object rounded at one end and tapering on the other, possibly attached to a larger object at the tapered end. A light bulb (not necessarily bulbous in shape).
an incandescent bulb
an LED bulb
a fluorescent tube bulb
- 5
A bulbous protuberance at the forefoot of certain vessels to reduce turbulence.
- 6
obsoleteAn onion.
Etymology
Etymology tree Ancient Greek βολβός (bolbós)bor. Latin bulbusder. English bulb Inherited from Middle English bulb, bolbe, from Latin bulbus (“bulb, onion”), from Ancient Greek βολβός (bolbós, “plant with round swelling on underground stem”).
verb
- 1
To take the shape of a bulb; to swell.
Forms
- plural
- bulbs
- past tense
- bulbed
- past participle
- bulbed
- present participle
- bulbing
- third person singular
- bulbs
bulb · The bulb-shaped underground portion of a plant such as a tulip, consisting of a shortened stem and many fleshy scale leaves, from which the rest of…
Bulgaria · A country in Southeastern Europe. Official name: Republic of…Bulgarian · Relating to Bulgaria, its people, or the Bulgarian language.bulk · Size, specifically, volume.