Definition of bulb

The word "bulb" is derived from the Latin word 'bulbus,' meaning 'swollen' or 'rounded.' The root of this word can be traced back to the ancient Greek word 'bole,' which also had an agricultural meaning, referring to the part of a root that stored food. In botanical terms, a bulb is a modified stem that stores nutrients and allows certain plants to survive during harsh seasonal conditions, such as winter. This structure enables the plant to grow new shoots and leaves once more favorable conditions arise. The bulbs that we typically associate with flowers, like tulips and daffodils, are reduced forms of these modified stems, resulting in what appears to be a rounded, protein-rich structure at the plant's base. The term 'bulb' was first used to refer specifically to these specialized, underground plant structures in the scientific community in the late 16th century. Since then, the word has been widely adopted to describe these vital structures.