noun / verb
sprout
SPROWT/spraʊt/
New growth beginning to appear or develop.
A seed sprouts in the soil, sending up tiny leaves.
Etymology
The earlier verb meant “spring forth” or “shoot forth as a bud,” picturing new growth emerging from a plant. The selected meaning preserves that image in new shoots or leaves.
In context
the shoot straightens the first leaves sprout and begin making food by photosynthesis
More examples
- A tiny sprout appears at the base of the stem.
- The beans begin to sprout on the damp paper towel.
- New shops sprout along the busy street.
Forms
sprout · sprouts · sprouted · sprouting
Similar words
- germinate
- Specifically means to start growing from a seed or spore.
- shoot
- Names a young stem, often with leaves already developing.