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Meaning of GERM

Pronunciation:  jurm

WordNet Dictionary
  1. [n]  a minute life form (especially a disease-causing bacterium); the term is not in technical use
  2. [n]  a small simple structure (as a fertilized egg) from which new tissue can develop into a complete organism
  3. [n]  anything that provides inspiration for later work

GERM is a 4 letter word that starts with G.


 Synonyms: bug, microbe, seed, source
 See Also: anatomical structure, bodily structure, body structure, complex body part, inspiration, microorganism, muse, structure



Webster's 1913 Dictionary
  1. \Germ\, n. [F. germe, fr. L. germen, germinis, sprout, but,
    germ. Cf. {Germen}, {Germane}.]
    1. (Biol.) That which is to develop a new individual; as, the
       germ of a fetus, of a plant or flower, and the like; the
       earliest form under which an organism appears.
             In the entire process in which a new being
             originates . . . two distinct classes of action
             participate; namely, the act of generation by which
             the germ is produced; and the act of development, by
             which that germ is evolved into the complete
             organism.                             --Carpenter.
    2. That from which anything springs; origin; first principle;
       as, the germ of civil liberty.
    {Disease germ} (Biol.), a name applied to certain tiny
       bacterial organisms or their spores, such as Anthrax
       bacillus and the {Micrococcus} of fowl cholera, which have
       been demonstrated to be the cause of certain diseases. See
       {Germ theory} (below).
    {Germ cell} (Biol.), the germ, egg, spore, or cell from which
       the plant or animal arises. At one time a part of the body
       of the parent, it finally becomes detached,and by a
       process of multiplication and growth gives rise to a mass
       of cells, which ultimately form a new individual like the
       parent. See {Ovum}.
    {Germ gland}. (Anat.) See {Gonad}.
    {Germ stock} (Zo["o]l.), a special process on which buds are
       developed in certain animals. See {Doliolum}.
    {Germ theory} (Biol.), the theory that living organisms can
       be produced only by the evolution or development of living
       germs or seeds. See {Biogenesis}, and {Abiogenesis}. As
       applied to the origin of disease, the theory claims that
       the zymotic diseases are due to the rapid development and
       multiplication of various bacteria, the germs or spores of
       which are either contained in the organism itself, or
       transferred through the air or water. See {Fermentation
  2. \Germ\, v. i.
    To germinate. [R.] --J. Morley.
  3. \Germ\, n. (Biol.)
    The germ cells, collectively, as distinguished from the
    germinal to form phrases; as, germ area, germ disc, germ
    membrane, germ nucleus, germ sac, etc.
Medical Dictionary
 Definition: A microorganism that causes disease.
Dream Dictionary
 Definition: To have a dream about germs, represents small and irrational fears that you are feeling in your waking life. You may be lacking energy and motivation. Focus on your purpose and goals in life.
Thesaurus Terms
 Related Terms: adenovirus, aerobe, aerobic bacteria, amoeba, anaerobe, anaerobic bacteria, animalcule, Anlage, bacillus, bacteria, bacterium, base, basis, beginning, blastula, bud, bug, coccus, colon bacillus, diatom, disease-producing microorganism, dyad, echovirus, egg, embryo, enterovirus, Euglena, fetus, filterable virus, flagellate, fount, fungus, germen, gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, larva, loins, microbe, microorganism, microspore, microzoa, mold, monad, nematode, nonfilterable virus, nucleus, nymph, origin, ovum, paramecium, pathogen, picornavirus, protozoa, protozoon, reovirus, rhinovirus, rickettsia, root, rudiment, salmonella, saprophyte, seed, source, spark, spermatozoon, spirillum, spirochete, spore, sporozoon, staphylococcus, start, streptococcus, tetrad, triad, trypanosome, vibrio, virus, volvox, vorticellum, zoospore, zygote