germ
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.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
3
: microorganism; especially : a microorganism causing disease
See Examples of GERM
- the germ that causes tuberculosis
- the germ of an idea
- 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
germ
noun \ˈjərm\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of GERM
1
: a small mass of living substance capable of developing into an organism or one of its parts
2
: microorganism; especially : a microorganism causing disease
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