germ

US /dʒɝːm/
UK /dʒɝːm/
"germ" picture
1.

a microorganism, especially one that causes disease

:
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Wash your hands to avoid spreading germs.
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The doctor explained how different germs affect the body.
:
microbebacteriumviruspathogenbug
2.

the part of a plant from which it grows; a seed or spore

:
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The wheat germ is the most nutritious part of the grain.
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These seeds contain the germ of new life.
:
embryobudsproutseedspore
3.

an initial stage from which something may develop

:
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The idea was still in its germ stage.
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The germ of a revolution was forming.
:
originrootseedsourcebeginning