germ

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A pathogen: a pathogenic microorganism, such as a bacterium or virus.

   'This again,' said the Bacteriologist, slipping a glass slide under the microscope, 'is a preparation of the celebrated Bacillus of cholera - the cholera germ.'

2. 2
   noun

   The origin or earliest version of an idea or project.

   the germ of civil liberty

3. 3
   verb

   To germinate.

   Thus tempted, the lust to avenge me / Germed inly and grew.

4. 4
   verb

   To grow, as if parasitic.

   I’m addicted, want to germ inside your love

5. 5
   noun

   a minute life form (especially a disease-causing bacterium)

6. 6
   noun

   a small apparently simple structure (as a fertilized egg) from which new tissue can develop into a complete organism

7. 7
   noun

   anything that provides inspiration for later work

8. 8
   noun

   The small mass of cells from which a new organism develops; a seed, bud, spore, or zygote.

Etymology

From Middle French germe, from Latin germen (“bud, seed, embryo”). Doublet of germen.