 bulb |
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| 1. | [ noun ] (botany) a modified bud consisting of a thickened globular underground stem serving as a reproductive structure | |
| Related terms: | stalk shallot squill bulbil onion | |
| 2. | [ noun ] electric lamp consisting of a glass bulb containing a wire filament (usually tungsten) that emits light when heated | |
| Synonyms: | electric_light light_bulb electric-light_bulb incandescent_lamp lightbulb | |
| Related terms: | electric_lamp filament | |
| 3. | [ noun ] a rounded part of a cylindrical instrument (usually at one end) | |
| Examples: | "the bulb of a syringe" |
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| Related terms: | part mercury_thermometer syringe | |
| 4. | [ noun ] (anatomy,zoology,neuroscience) lower or hindmost part of the brain; continuous with spinal cord; (`bulb' is an old term for medulla oblongata) | |
| Synonyms: | medulla medulla_oblongata | |
| Examples: | "the medulla oblongata is the most vital part of the brain because it contains centers controlling breathing and heart functioning" |
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| Related terms: | neural_structure hindbrain brainstem respiratory_center | |
| 5. | [ noun ] (anatomy,zoology) a rounded dilation or expansion in a canal or vessel or organ | |
| Related terms: | structure | |
