a small apparently simple structure (as a fertilized egg) from which new tissue can develop into a complete organism
source: WordNet 3.0
a minute life form (especially a disease-causing bacterium); the term is not in technical use
source: WordNet 3.0
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.
source: Webster 1913
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.
