germ

germ
\ \ [17] As its close relatives germane and germinate [17] suggest, germ has more to do etymologically with ‘sprouting’ and ‘coming to life’ than with ‘disease’. It comes via Old French germe from Latin germensprout, offshoot’, which may go back ultimately to the Indo- European base *gen- ‘produce’ (source of English gene, generate, genitive, etc). The meaning ‘sprout, from which new life develops’ persisted into English (and still occurs in such contexts as wheatgerm – and indeed in metaphorical expressions like ‘the germ of an idea’). Then at the beginning of the 19th century it began to be used to put into words the idea of a ‘seed’ from which a disease grew: ‘The vaccine virus must act in one or other of these two ways: either it must destroy the germe of the small-pox … or it must neutralize this germe’, Medical Journal 1803. By the end of the century it was an accepted colloquialism for ‘harmful microorganism’.
\ \ Cf.GERMANE, GERMINATE

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Germ (MC) — Germ (bürgerlich René Swain; * 15. Februar 1969 in Groß Umstadt) ist ein deutscher Rapper. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Kindheit 2 Karriere 3 Diskografie 4 Weblinks …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Germ — (j[ e]rm), 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Germ-X — is the brand name of a line of antibacterial and antimicrobial products marketed in the United States. Germ X products include instant hand sanitizer gels, foaming hand soap, and soft wipes. Germ X products are manufactured by Vi Jon Laboratories …   Wikipedia

  • Germ — can mean: * Microorganism, especially a pathogenic one; see Germ theory of disease. * Germ cell, a cell that has all the information to grow into a complete adult organism. * The Germ (periodical), a periodical established by the Pre Raphaelite… …   Wikipedia

  • germ — [dʒə:m US dʒə:rm] n [Date: 1400 1500; : French; Origin: germe, from Latin germen seed, bud, germ , from gignere; GENITAL] 1.) a very small living thing that can make you ill →↑bacteria ▪ Put disinfectant down the toilet to kill any germs. 2.) …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • germ — (n.) mid 15c., bud, sprout; 1640s, rudiment of a new organism in an existing one, from M.Fr. germe germ (of egg); bud, seed, fruit; offering, from L. germen (gen. germinis) sprout, bud, perhaps from PIE root *gen to beget, bear (see GENUS (Cf.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Germ — bezeichnet: Backhefe einen deutschen Rapper, siehe Germ (MC) eine französische Gemeinde, siehe Germ (Hautes Pyrénées) Die Abkürzung germ. steht für: germanisch (g.), vergleiche Germanische Sprachen Siehe auch: Germknödel …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Germ — País …   Wikipedia Español

  • germ — [ dʒɜrm ] noun 1. ) count a form of bacteria that spreads disease among people or animals: Strep is very different from the germ that causes ordinary sore throats. 2. ) singular something that could develop into a greater idea or plan: the germ… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • germ — [jʉrm] n. [ME germe, a bud, sprout < OFr < L germen, sprig, bud, germ, embryo < IE * gen men (> Sans janiman , birth, origin) < base * ĝen : see GENUS] 1. the rudimentary form from which a new organism is developed; seed; bud 2.… …   English World dictionary

  • Germ — Germ, v. i. To germinate. [R.] J. Morley. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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