germ
Americannoun
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a microorganism, especially when disease-producing; microbe.
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a bud, offshoot, or seed.
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the rudiment of a living organism; an embryo in its early stages.
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the initial stage in development or evolution, as a germ cell or ancestral form.
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something that serves as a source or initial stage for subsequent development.
the germ of an idea.
adjective
noun
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a microorganism, esp one that produces disease in animals or plants
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(often plural) the rudimentary or initial form of something
the germs of revolution
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a simple structure, such as a fertilized egg, that is capable of developing into a complete organism
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.
Other Word Forms
- germless adjective
- germlike adjective
Etymology
Origin of germ
1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French germe < Latin germen shoot, sprout, by dissimilation from *genmen, equivalent to gen- ( genitor, genus ) + -men resultative noun suffix)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The empire was beset in these decades by Germans as well as germs.
Populations of T cells shrink, and the remaining cells may respond more slowly to germs.
From Science Daily
Other detractors have made similar points, and though exaggerated, the criticisms bear a germ of truth.
These include a flame-resistant outer shell, a middle moisture barrier that blocks germs while allowing airflow, and an inner lining designed to help regulate body temperature.
From Science Daily
Messes and dirt and germs and gross stuff are everywhere—especially with middle school kids.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
