: the beginning, process, or result of germinating:
a
: the initial development of a spore involving either production of a germ tube or internal breakup
the first stage in germination of a spore is the absorption of water—George Smith
b
: the resumption of growth by the embryo in a seed after planting that involves the development of a young plant from the embryo after a period of dormancy : sprouting
germination starts when the seed coat is broken—F. S. Baker
c
: the development of a bud
d
: the production of a pollen tube by a pollen grain
2
: the beginning of growth or development : evolution
the germination of newer and more tentative ideas—J. T. Edsall
Word History
Etymology
Latin germination-, germinatio, from germinatus + -ion-, -io -ion
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