26984 words

germs

4 definitions • 5 examples
1
a very small organism that causes disease:

Examples:

Wash your hands so you don't get germs on the food.
spread germs Rats and flies spread germs.
2
a small amount, usually one that develops into something large or important:

Examples:

germ of an idea He found the germ of an idea in an old newspaper.
3
a very small organism that causes disease:

Examples:

The patient has little natural resistance to germs.
4
the origin of something that develops, esp. a cell from which grain grows or the beginning of an idea:

Examples:

Alejandro’s suggestion was the germ of an idea.

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