noun
germ
The initial living part from which new growth begins.
The germ inside each wheat seed develops into a new plant.
Etymology
The Latin word names a sprout or bud. The biological sense preserves the initial living part from which a larger structure can develop.
More examples
- White flour usually has the wheat germ removed.
- Damage to the germ can prevent a seed from sprouting.
- Her brief remark contains the germ of a new idea.
Forms
germ · germs
germinate verb — To begin growing from a seed.