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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Germ \Germ\ (j[~e]rm), 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.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

2. That from which anything springs; origin; first principle;
as, the germ of civil liberty.
[1913 Webster]

3. (Biol.) The germ cells, collectively, as distinguished
from the somatic cells, or {soma}. Germ is often used in
place of germinal to form phrases; as, germ area, germ
disc, germ membrane, germ nucleus, germ sac, etc.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

4. A microorganism, especially a disease-causing bacterium or
virus; -- used informally, as, the don't eat food that
falls on the floor, it may have germs on it.
[PJC]

{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; same as germ[4]. 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} (Zool.), 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
theory}.
[1913 Webster]


Germ \Germ\, v. i.
To germinate. [R.] --J. Morley.
[1913 Webster]