1. of an organism prior to birth or hatching - in the embryonic stage - embryologic development • Syn: embryologic, embryonal • Similar to: immature • Derivationally related forms: embryo (for: embryonal), embryology (for: embryologic), embryology, embryo 2. in an early stage of development - the embryonic government staffed by survivors of the massacre - an embryonic nation, not yet self-governing • Syn: embryotic • Similar to: early • Derivationally related forms: embryo (for: embryotic), embryo