bulb

== English == === Etymology === Inherited from Middle English bulb, bolbe, from Latin bulbus (“bulb, onion”), from Ancient Greek βολβός (bolbós, “plant with round swelling on underground stem”). === Pronunciation === enPR: bŭlb, IPA(key): /ˈbʌlb/ (Southern US, African-American Vernacular, obsolete) IPA(key): /ˈbʌb/ Rhymes: -ʌlb === Noun === bulb (plural bulbs) 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. (dated, neuroanatomy) The medulla oblongata. 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). (nautical) A bulbous protuberance at the forefoot of certain vessels to reduce turbulence. (obsolete) An onion. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === bulb (third-person singular simple present bulbs, present participle bulbing, simple past and past participle bulbed) (intransitive) To take the shape of a bulb; to swell. === References === === Anagrams === blub == Catalan == === Etymology === Borrowed from Latin bulbus. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): (Central, Balearic, Valencia) [ˈbulp] === Noun === bulb m (plural bulbs) (botany) bulb (bulb-shaped root of a plant) ==== Derived terms ==== bulb galàctic bulb raquidi ==== Related terms ==== bulbil bulbós === Further reading === “bulb”, in Diccionari de la llengua catalana [Dictionary of the Catalan Language] (in Catalan), second edition, Institute of Catalan Studies [Catalan: Institut d'Estudis Catalans], April 2007 == Romanian == === Etymology === Borrowed from French bulbe. === Noun === bulb m (plural bulbi) bulb ==== Declension ====