germ-, germi- +

Warfare that makes use of bacteria, viruses, toxins, etc., to disable or to destroy people, domestic animals, and food crops.

1. A cell, or group of cells, capable of developing into an organ, a part, or an organism in its entirety: "Eggs and sperms are considered to be germ cells."
2. A pathogenic microorganism or a microbe capable of causing a disease: "The germ theory of disease held that these minute bodies could cause disease which turned out to be verified (true)."
3. Etymology: the germ is a simple word that came to us from Latin germen, meaning "a sprout, a bud", or "an offshoot".

"In all of its meanings, the term germ retains the idea of developing into something more mature."

Any of the cells in animals that give rise to the gametes (cells capable of fusing with other cells to produce zygotes, from which new individual organisms can develop).

Free from germs, micro-organisms, or pathogenic organisms; sterile.

1. Preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of micro-organisms.
2. An agent that kills pathogenic micro-organisms.

1. That which kills germs; specifically, an agent used to destroy disease-germs.
2. Destructive to germs.

1. Relating to, or having the nature of a germ cell.
2. Referring to, relating to, or occurring in the earliest stage of development: "We were active in the germinal phase of the project."

1. To start to grow from a seed or spore into a new individual, or cause a seed or spore to do this.
2. To be created and start to develop: "At the beginning, the seeds of doubt germinated and almost brought our efforts to a close."

1. The origin of some development: "There was the germination of their discontent."
2. The process where a seed, spore, or zygote begins to sprout, to grow, or to develop; usually after it has been dormant for a time while waiting for the right growing conditions.
3. The first outward sign of growth of a reproductive body; such as, a spore or pollen grain.

The term is commonly applied to seeds, in which germination is determined by such external conditions as water availability, temperature, and light; as well as, internal biochemical status that is appropriate before germination can occur.

Seed germination may be either epigeal, in which the cotyledons appear above the ground; or hypogeal, in which the cotyledons remain below the ground.

Reproduction by means of germs.

1. A polynuclear mass of protoplasm, not divided into separate cells, from which certain ova are developed.
2. The primitive cell in certain embryonic forms.

A primordial (earliest) cell from which an oocyte (ovum, egg) ultimately is developed.

To germinate again; such as, perennial plants regerminate annually.

The process of sprouting or growing again: "The regerminations of plants involves the re-productions of buds or branches."