germ
UK: dʒɜːm | US: dʒɜːrm
n. a microorganism, especially one that causes disease
n. the earliest stage of development (e.g., "the germ of an idea")
n. (botany) a small part of a plant capable of developing into a new organism
The word "germ" traces back to the Latin germen, meaning "sprout, bud, or embryo." It entered English via Old French germe in the late 14th century, initially referring to plant seeds or buds. By the 17th century, its meaning expanded to include microscopic organisms (especially pathogens) due to their role as "seeds" of disease. The dual sense—literal (biological) and metaphorical (origin of an idea)—reflects the word’s focus on beginnings, whether physical or abstract.
Wash your hands to avoid spreading germs.
The germ of his novel came from a childhood memory.
Wheat germ is rich in nutrients.
Scientists studied the germ under a microscope.
Her idea was just a germ, but it grew into a successful project.