budding beauty

[Spohreis]

Hi!

In the text below (from Deal Braker-Harlan Coben) what does "budding beauty" mean?

Myron's expression did not change. He had met Kathy Culver five years ago when she was a sophomore in high school, already a budding beauty.

Thanks in advance!

 

[emsr2d2]

It means that it was clear that she was going to grow to be very beautiful. The signs were already there. Imagine the bud of a flower - it has potential; you can see the beauty of the flower starting to appear.