Germ Definition
germ
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English
Etymology
From Middle French germe, from Latin germen (“bud, seed, embryo”).
Pronunciation
- (UK), IPA: /dʒəːm/, SAMPA: /dZ@:m/
- (US) enPR: jûrm, IPA: /dʒɝm/, SAMPA: /dZ3r\m/
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Audio (US) (file) - Rhymes: -ɜː(r)m
Noun
germ (plural germs)
- (biology) The small mass of cells from which a new organism develops; a seed, bud or spore.
- A pathogenic microorganism.
- An idea that forms the basis of some project.
- The embryo of a seed, especially of a seed used as a cereal or grain. See Wikipedia article on cereal germ.
Verb
germ (third-person singular simple present germs, present participle germing, simple past and past participle germed)
- To germinate
- (slang) to grow, as if parasitic
- "I’m addicted, want to germ inside your love" - Just Can't Get Enough by the Black Eyed Peas
Derived terms
terms derived from germ (noun)
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See also
External links
- germ in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- germ in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
Kurdish
Etymology
Indo-European *gʷʰer-, cognate with English warm
Adjective
germ
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