germ

Etymology

From Middle French germe, from Latin germen (“bud, seed, embryo”). Doublet of germen.

noun

1. (biology) The small mass of cells from which a new organism develops; a seed, bud, spore, or zygote.
   1. The embryo of a seed, especially of a seed used as a cereal or grain. See Wikipedia article on cereal germ.
   2. (biology) The small mass of cells from which a part of an organism develops, or a macroscopic but immature form of that part; a bud.
      Coordinate term: vesicle
      surgical removal of germs of wisdom teeth
2. A pathogen: a pathogenic microorganism, such as a bacterium or virus.
   'This again,' said the Bacteriologist, slipping a glass slide under the microscope, 'is a preparation of the celebrated Bacillus of cholera - the cholera germ.' 1895, H. G. Wells, The Stolen Bacillus
3. (figurative) The origin or earliest version of an idea or project.
   the germ of civil liberty
4. (mathematics) An equivalence class that includes a specified function defined in an open neighborhood.

verb

1. To germinate.
   Thus tempted, the lust to avenge me / Germed inly and grew. 1909, Thomas Hardy, The Flirt's Tragedy
2. (slang) To grow, as if parasitic.
   I’m addicted, want to germ inside your love 2011, Black Eyed Peas, Just Can't Get Enough