germ
/d͡ʒɜːm//d͡ʒɝm/
noun
- 1
The small mass of cells from which a new organism develops; a seed, bud or spore.
- 2
A pathogenic microorganism.
- 3
The embryo of a seed, especially of a seed used as a cereal or grain. See Wikipedia article on cereal germ.
- 4
The origin of an idea or project.
“the germ of civil liberty”
- 5
An equivalence class that includes a specified function defined in an open neighborhood.
verb
- 1
To germinate.
- 2
To grow, as if parasitic.
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