Word Meanings - GERM - Book Publishers vocabulary database

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

Additional info about word: GERM

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 , 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 -- Germ cell , 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. See Gonad. -- Germ stock , a special process on which buds are developed in certain animals. See Doliolum. -- Germ theory , 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.

Possible synonyms: (Same meaning words of GERM)

• Embryo
• Germ
• nucleus
• rudiment
• origin
• Rudiment
• Principle
• begin
• ning
• germ
• seed
• embryo
• element
• initiation
• commencement
• Seed
• Spring
• cause
• root
• Silly
• selig
• Simple
• foolish
• weak
• shallow
• witless
• unwise
• indiscreet
• imprudent
• absurd

Possible antonyms: (opposite words of GERM)

• Settle
• alight
• land
• drop
• arrive
• issue
• eventuate
• end
• terminate
• debouch
• disembogue

Related words: (words related to GERM)

• CAUSEFUL
  Having a cause.
• UNWISE
  Not wise; defective in wisdom; injudicious; indiscreet; foolish; as, an unwise man; unwise kings; unwise measures.
• SPREADINGLY
  , adv. Increasingly. The best times were spreadingly infected. Milton.
• EMBRYO SAC
  See EMBRYONIC
• SPRINGBOARD
  An elastic board, secured at the ends, or at one end, often by elastic supports, used in performing feats of agility or in exercising.
• SPRINGE
  A noose fastened to an elastic body, and drawn close with a sudden spring, whereby it catches a bird or other animal; a gin; a snare. As a woodcock to mine own springe. Shak.
• SPRINGAL
  An ancient military engine for casting stones and arrows by means of a spring.
• EMBRYOTOMY
  The cutting a fetus into pieces within the womb, so as to effect its removal.
• EMBRYON
  See EMBRYO
• SPRINT
  To run very rapidly; to run at full speed. A runner should be able to sprint the whole way. Encyc. Brit. (more info) Etym:
• SILLYHOW
  A caul. See Caul, n., 3.
• SPRIGHTLY
  Sprightlike, or spiritlike; lively; brisk; animated; vigorous; airy; gay; as, a sprightly youth; a sprightly air; a sprightly dance. "Sprightly wit and love inspires." Dryden. The sprightly Sylvia trips along the green. Pope.
• CAUSEWAYED; CAUSEYED
  Having a raised way ; paved. Sir W. Scott. C. Bronté.
• ELEMENTAL
  1. Pertaining to the elements, first principles, and primary ingredients, or to the four supposed elements of the material world; as, elemental air. "Elemental strife." Pope. 2. Pertaining to rudiments or first principles; rudimentary; elementary.
• ELEMENT
  1. One of the simplest or essential parts or principles of which anything consists, or upon which the constitution or fundamental powers of anything are based. 2. One of the ultimate, undecomposable constituents of any kind of matter. Specifically:
• SPRINKLING
  1. The act of one who, or that which, sprinkles. Baptism may well enough be performed by sprinkling or effusion of water. Ayliffe. 2. A small quantity falling in distinct drops or particles; as, a sprinkling of rain or snow. 3. Hence, a moderate
• EMBRYOGRAPHY
  The general description of embryos.
• DEBOUCHURE
  The outward opening of a river, of a valley, or of a strait.
• SPRINGY
  1. Resembling, having the qualities of, or pertaining to, a spring; elastic; as, springy steel; a springy step. Though her little frame was slight, it was firm and springy. Sir W. Scott. 2. Abounding with springs or fountains; wet; spongy; as,
• NUCLEUS
  The body or the head of a comet. An incipient ovule of soft cellular tissue. A whole seed, as contained within the seed coats. (more info) 1. A kernel; hence, a central mass or point about which matter is gathered, or to which accretion is made;
• DISPROPORTIONALLY
  In a disproportional manner; unsuitably in form, quantity, or value; unequally.
• DISPROPORTIONALITY
  The state of being disproportional. Dr. H. More.
• DISPROPORTIONABLE
  Disproportional; unsuitable in form, size, quantity, or adaptation; disproportionate; inadequate. -- Dis`pro*por"tion*a*ble*ness, n. Hammond. -- Dis`pro*por"tion*a*bly, adv.
• ABORIGINALLY
  Primarily.
• PROEMBRYO
  The series of cells formed in the ovule of a flowering plant after fertilization, but before the formation of the embryo. The primary growth from the spore in certain cryptogamous plants; as, the proembryo, or protonema, of mosses.
• HANDSPRING
  A somersault made with the assistance of the hands placed upon the ground.
• REISSUE
  To issue a second time.
• INTERMINATED
  Interminable; interminate; endless; unending. Akenside.