Definition of: germ

(jûrm) noun
1. Any rudimentary vital element.
2. Biol. a The formative protoplasm of an egg or ovum, or of an ovule; a gamete; germ cell. b The earliest stage of an organism.
3. Bot. A growing point, as a young bud.
4. The primary source of anything; that from which a thing may be developed as from a seed.
5. A micro-organism; especially, one likely to cause disease; a microbe.
6. An embryo.
—adjective
1. Germinative.
2. Pertaining to or arising from disease germs. [<F germe <L germen sprig]