germ
[ jurm ]
/ dʒɜrm /
noun
a microorganism, especially when disease-producing; microbe.
a bud, offshoot, or seed.
the rudiment of a living organism; an embryo in its early stages.
the initial stage in development or evolution, as a germ cell or ancestral form.
something that serves as a source or initial stage for subsequent development: the germ of an idea.
adjective
Pathology. of, relating to, or caused by disease-producing germs.
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Nearby words
Origin of germ
Related formsgerm·less, adjectivegerm·like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for germ
British Dictionary definitions for germ
germ
/ (dʒɜːm) /
noun
a microorganism, esp one that produces disease in animals or plants
(often plural) the rudimentary or initial form of somethingthe germs of revolution
a simple structure, such as a fertilized egg, that is capable of developing into a complete organism
Word Origin for germ
C17: from French germe, from Latin germen sprig, bud, sprout, seed
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for germ
germ
mid-15c., "bud, sprout;" 1640s, "rudiment of a new organism in an existing one," from Middle French germe "germ (of egg); bud, seed, fruit; offering," from Latin germen (genitive germinis) "sprout, bud," perhaps from PIE root *gen- "to beget, bear" (see genus). The older sense is preserved in wheat germ and germ of an idea; sense of "seed of a disease" first recorded 1803; that of "harmful microorganism" dates from 1871. Germ warfare recorded from 1920.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for germ
germ
[ jûrm ]
n.
A small mass of protoplasm or cells from which a new organism or one of its parts may develop.
A microorganism, especially a pathogen.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for germ
germ
[ jûrm ]
A microscopic organism or agent, especially one that is pathogenic, such as a bacterium or virus.
Usage
The terms germ and microbe have been used to refer to invisible agents of disease since the nineteenth century, when scientists introduced the germ theory of disease, the idea that infections and contagious diseases are caused by microorganisms. Microbe, a shortening and alteration of microorganism, comes from the Greek prefix mikro-, small, and the word bios, life. Scientists no longer use the terms germ and microbe very much. Today they can usually identify the specific agents of disease, such as individual species of bacteria or viruses. To refer generally to agents of disease, they use the term pathogen, from the Greek pathos, suffering, and the suffix -gen, producer. They use microorganism to refer to any unicellular organism, whether disease-causing or not.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.