germ

[jurm]

noun

1. a microorganism, especially when disease-producing; microbe.

2. a bud, offshoot, or seed.

3. the rudiment of a living organism; an embryo in its early stages.

4. the initial stage in development or evolution, as a germ cell or ancestral form.

   Synonyms: seed, rudiment, bud, root, spark

5. something that serves as a source or initial stage for subsequent development.

   the germ of an idea.

adjective

1. Pathology.,  of, relating to, or caused by disease-producing germs.

germ

/ dʒɜːm /

noun

1. a microorganism, esp one that produces disease in animals or plants

2. (often plural) the rudimentary or initial form of something

   the germs of revolution

3. a simple structure, such as a fertilized egg, that is capable of developing into a complete organism

germ

1. 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.

Other Word Forms

• germless adjective
• germlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of germ¹

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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of germ¹

C17: from French germe, from Latin germen sprig, bud, sprout, seed

Example Sentences

As painful as it was for Tami to absorb firsthand “all the black, gray and blanch-white,” a germ of an idea took root in those ashes.

From Los Angeles Times

Farrell had what he called his “crutch” — the physical transmogrification — which also sparked a germ of fear in him, of “being a one-trick pony,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, sweet almond oil is Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis, peanut oil is Arachis Hypogaea, and wheat germ extract is Triticum Vulgare.

From BBC

Here she’s been promoted to its conscience and Bali does masterful work layering politeness over irritation over a germ of affection for this disastrously neglected little girl.

From Los Angeles Times

However, the FDA said freezing doesn’t kill all harmful germs, so the safest route is to thoroughly cook your seafood.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• antibody 
• bacterium 
• bug 
• disease 
• microbe 
• microorganism 
• pathogen 
• virus