egg toxm, xâg Fr.: œuf 1) An oval or round object laid by a female bird, reptile, fish,
or invertebrate, usually containing a developing embryo.
The eggs of birds are enclosed in a chalky shell, while those
of reptiles are in a leathery membrane. M.E., from Old Norse egg, cognate with O.Saxon, M.Du., Du., O.H.G., Ger. Ei, probably from PIE *owyo-/*oyyo- "egg;" source of Pers. xâg, as below. Toxm, → seed. |