germ
germ definition
germ (jʉrm)
noun
- the rudimentary form from which a new organism is developed; seed; bud
- any microscopic organism, esp. one of the bacteria, that can cause disease
- that from which something can develop or grow; basis the germ of an idea
Etymology: ME germe, a bud, sprout < OFr < L germen, sprig, bud, germ, embryo < IE *gen-men (> Sans janiman-, birth, origin) < base *ĝen-: see genus
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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