Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - germ

n. 1 a micro-organism, esp. one which causes disease. 2 a a portion of an organism capable of developing into a new one; the rudiment of an animal or plant. b an embryo of a seed (wheat germ). 3 an original idea etc. from which something may develop; an elementary principle. Phrases and idioms germ-cell 1 a cell containing half the number of chromosomes of a somatic cell and able to unite with one from the opposite sex to form a new individual; a gamete. 2 any embryonic cell with the potential of developing into a gamete. germ warfare the systematic spreading of micro-organisms to cause disease in an enemy population. in germ not yet developed. Derivatives germy adj. Etymology: F germe f. L germen germinis sprout