germ

germ

noun \ˈjərm\

Definition of GERM

1

a : a small mass of living substance capable of developing into an organism or one of its parts b : the embryo with the scutellum of a cereal grain that is usually separated from the starchy endosperm during milling

2

: something that initiates development or serves as an origin : rudiments, beginning

3

: microorganism; especially : a microorganism causing disease

Examples of GERM

1. the germ that causes tuberculosis
2. the germ of an idea
3. the germ layers of an embryo

Origin of GERM

French germe, from Latin germin-, germen, from gignere to beget — more at kin

First Known Use: 1644

Related to GERM

Synonyms: fountainhead, seed, origin, root, seedbed

Related Words: font, fountain, spring, well, wellhead, wellspring; beginning, birth, commencement, dawn, genesis, inception, incipiency, launch, morning, onset, outset, start, threshold; creation, inauguration, origination

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Rhymes with GERM

berm, firm, herm, perm, sperm, squirm, term, therm, worm