Rosebud

/ˈroʊzˌbʌd/ noun

Definition

A young rose flower that hasn't opened yet, still tightly closed in its green sepals; often used as a symbol of youth or beauty.

Etymology

Compound of 'rose' (from Latin 'rosa') and 'bud' (from Old Norse 'budda'). The term combines the flower's name with the stage of blooming to describe its unopened form.

Kelly Says

In Citizen Kane, 'Rosebud' is the mystery word that drives the whole plot—it represents lost innocence and childhood—showing how a simple flower bud became one of cinema's most powerful symbols.

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