germ

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Microbes, genetics, biochem, Medicine

germ /dʒɜːm $ dʒɜːrm/ ●●○ noun [countable]  1  HBMMa very small living thing that can make you ill 病菌，细菌 → bacteria Put disinfectant down the toilet to kill any germs. 在抽水马桶里投放消毒剂杀菌。2  the germ of an idea/theory/feeling etc BEGINNINGthe early stage of an idea, feeling etc that may develop into something bigger and more important 观念/理论/感情等的萌芽 The germ of a story began to form in his mind. 一个故事开始在他的头脑里成形。3  technical the part of a plant or animal that can develop into a new plant or animal 胚原基，胚芽 germ cells containing DNA 含DNA的生殖细胞 → wheatgerm, germ warfare

Examples from the Corpus

germ• Yet there is a germ of truth in what Hadi says.• She wasn't allowed in crowded places where there might be germs.• It can be caused by several different germs.• Cover your mouth when you cough so you won't spread germs.• It kills the germs as well, leaving the whole area clean and hygienic.• Many of the germs that cause disease pass from our hands into our mouths; so can environmental metal toxins like lead.• These germs are small outgrowths on the skin arranged locally in a hexagonal pattern.• That lofty notion spread like a virulent germ into every law school in the nation.Origin germ (1400-1500) French germe, from Latin germen “seed, bud, germ”, from gignere; → GENITAL

germ nounChinese  

small thing a Corpus very can make living you that

germ
germ /dʒɜːm $ dʒɜːrm/ noun [countable]1. a very small living thing that can make you ill ⇨ bacteria:
    Put disinfectant down the toilet to kill any germs.
2. the germ of an idea/theory/feeling etc the early stage of an idea, feeling etc that may develop into something bigger and more important:
    The germ of a story began to form in his mind.
3. technical the part of a plant or animal that can develop into a new plant or animal:
    germ cells containing DNA
⇨ wheatgerm, germ warfare

germBrE /dʒɜːm/ 🔊NAmE /dʒɜːrm/ 🔊 noun [countable, usually plural] a very small living thing that can cause infection and disease 微生物；细菌；病菌◆Disinfectant kills germs. 消毒剂可杀菌。🔊🔊◆Dirty hands can be a breeding ground for germs. 脏手可能滋生病菌。🔊🔊 [singular] ~ of sth an early stage of the development of sth 起源；发端；萌芽◆Here was the germ of a brilliant idea. 一个绝妙的主意就是从这里萌发的。🔊🔊 [countable] (biology 生物) the part of a plant or an animal that can develop into a new one 胚芽；胚原基；芽孢；胚胎  ➡  see also wheatgerm