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germ Definition

germ (jʉrm)

noun

  1. the rudimentary form from which a new organism is developed; seed; bud
  2. any microscopic organism, esp. one of the bacteria, that can cause disease
  3. 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

germ Synonyms

germ

n.

  1. Origin

    inception, source, root, basis; see origin 3.

  2. Embryo

    seed, bud, sprig; see egg, fetus.

  3. Bacillus

    microbe, bacteria, disease germ, microorganism, virus, bacterium, pathogen, parasite, bug*.

germ Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • invade: These cells start to destroy other cells, treating them like invading germs rather than part of the body.
  • kill: Ash is cleaning agent which kills germs on handling.
  • spread: Both these steps will stop you spreading germs onto cooked food.
  • destroy: Allow to thoroughly dry - this will also help to destroy any germs left behind by the flood.
  • harbor: These imperfections will harbor germs leading to a very unhygienic work surface.
  • carry: People of any age can carry these germs for days, weeks or months without becoming at all unwell.

Converse of subject

  • cause: Cholera is an illness caused by a germ invading the bowels.

Adjective modifier

  • harmful: Garden ants tend not carry harmful germs or disease.
  • nasty: I am starting a bit late due to my charming young children spreading nasty germs around the family.
  • common: The hand rub we provide kills 99.9 % of common germs.

Modifies a noun

  • plasm: Others are the result of cross-breeding varieties contained in Monsanto's broad germ plasm holdings.
  • tumor: At that time, germ cell tumors were the cause of death in 400 males per year in Germany.
  • tumor: For information on germ cell tumors of the brain see the section on brain tumors.
  • cell: These are specific to the male germ cell line.
  • mutation: Undertake further consideration of studies in transgenic animal models for the assessment of germ cell mutations.

Noun used with modifier

  • wheat: Vitamin E was first isolated in 1936 from wheat germ oil.
  • TB: The TB germ is usually spread in the air.

Preposition: of

  • truth: There may be a germ of truth in the notion.
  • idea: However, the germ of an idea began to grow.
germ Quotes

To be discontented with the divine discontent, and to be ashamedwiththenobleshame, istheverygermand first upgrowth of all virtue.

—Kingsley, Charles