bulb
/bʌlb/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A rounded underground storage organ of a plant: A bulb is a short, rounded underground stem of certain plants, such as onions, tulips, or daffodils, that stores food and can produce a new plant.
- A rounded glass container for an electric light: A bulb is the glass part of an electric lamp that encloses the filament or other light source.
- Any rounded, swollen part or structure: In anatomy or general use, a bulb can refer to any rounded, dilated, or bulging part, such as the bulb of a thermometer or a syringe.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- She planted tulip bulbs in the autumn for spring flowers.
- The light bulb in the kitchen needs to be replaced.
- The bulb of a thermometer contains the mercury or alcohol.
Advanced Usage
- "The bulb of the eye": Refers to the eyeball itself.
- The injury affected the bulb of his left eye.
- "Medulla oblongata" (historical/technical): In older anatomical terminology, "bulb" was a term for the medulla oblongata, a part of the brainstem.
- The vital centers are located in the bulb.
Variants and Related Words
- Bulbous (adj): Shaped like a bulb; swollen and rounded.
- He had a bulbous nose.
- Bulbil (n): A small bulb or bulb-like structure, especially one that forms in a leaf axil or flower head.
- Some lilies produce bulbils that can be planted.
Synonyms
- Corm: A similar but solid underground plant stem (e.g., crocus).
- Lamp: For the electric light source, though "lamp" can refer to the entire fixture.
- Globe: For a spherical shape, but not specific to plants or lighting.
Related Phrases
- Light bulb moment (idiom): A sudden moment of understanding or a bright idea.
- I had a light bulb moment and finally solved the puzzle.
- To plant a bulb: The action of putting a plant bulb into the ground.
- The best time to plant a bulb like a daffodil is in the fall.
Noun
- a rounded dilation or expansion in a canal or vessel or organ
- lower or hindmost part of the brain; continuous with spinal cord; (`bulb' is an old term for medulla oblongata)
- the medulla oblongata is the most vital part of the brain because it contains centers controlling breathing and heart functioning
- anything with a round shape resembling a teardrop
- a rounded part of a cylindrical instrument (usually at one end)
- the bulb of a syringe
- electric lamp consisting of a transparent or translucent glass housing containing a wire filament (usually tungsten) that emits light when heated by electricity
- a modified bud consisting of a thickened globular underground stem serving as a reproductive structure