The beginning; the first stage of anything.
A rudimentary plant contained in the seed.
In the reproductive cycle, the stage after the fertilization of the egg that precedes the development into a fetus.
In viviparous animals, the young animal's earliest stages in the mother's body
In humans, usually the cell growth up to the end of the seventh week in the mother's body
An organism in the earlier stages of development before it emerges from the egg, or before metamorphosis.
The opening sequence of any event.
The opening kick of each half of a game of football.
The opening sequence of notes in a song, usually played by the song's main instrument, to indicate the beginning of the song.