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.
- Biology: The female reproductive cell in animals and plants;
an ovum (OxfordDictionaries.com).
Etymology (EN): 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.
Etymology (PE): Toxm, → seed.
Xâg “egg,” Lori, Laki xâ, Pash. hâ “egg,”
Ossetic ajk “egg,” Bojnurdi hek “egg,”
Khotanese āhaa- “egg;”
variant xâyé “egg; testicle;” Mid.Pers. xâyak “egg;”
Av. aēm/aiam “egg;” cf. Gk. oion, L. ovum;
Goth. ada; O.E. æg; Ger. Ei;
PIE *owyo-/*oyyo- “egg.”
