\Germ\, n. [F. germe, fr. L. germen, germinis, sprout, but,
germ. Cf. {Germen}, {Germane}.]
1. (Biol.) 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.
         In the entire process in which a new being
         originates . . . two distinct classes of action
         participate; namely, the act of generation by which
         the germ is produced; and the act of development, by
         which that germ is evolved into the complete
         organism.                             --Carpenter.
2. That from which anything springs; origin; first principle;
   as, the germ of civil liberty.
{Disease germ} (Biol.), a name applied to certain tiny
   bacterial organisms or their spores, such as Anthrax
   bacillus and the {Micrococcus} of fowl cholera, which have
   been demonstrated to be the cause of certain diseases. See
   {Germ theory} (below).
{Germ cell} (Biol.), the germ, egg, spore, or cell from which
   the plant or animal arises. At one time a part of the body
   of the parent, it finally becomes detached,and by a
   process of multiplication and growth gives rise to a mass
   of cells, which ultimately form a new individual like the
   parent. See {Ovum}.
{Germ gland}. (Anat.) See {Gonad}.
{Germ stock} (Zo["o]l.), a special process on which buds are
   developed in certain animals. See {Doliolum}.
{Germ theory} (Biol.), the theory that living organisms can
   be produced only by the evolution or development of living
   germs or seeds. See {Biogenesis}, and {Abiogenesis}. As
   applied to the origin of disease, the theory claims that
   the zymotic diseases are due to the rapid development and
   multiplication of various bacteria, the germs or spores of
   which are either contained in the organism itself, or
   transferred through the air or water. See {Fermentation
   theory}.

\Germ\, v. i.
To germinate. [R.] --J. Morley.

\Germ\, n. (Biol.)
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.