germ 
/ˈʤɚm/ noun
plural germs /ˈʤɚm/ noun [count] 1 biology : a very small living thing that causes disease
▪ the germ that causes tuberculosis 2 a : the origin or basis of something
▪ the germ of an idea
b : a very small amount of something
▪ a germ of truth 3 biology : something that can grow to become a whole animal, plant, etc., or one of its parts
▪ a germ cell ▪ the germ layers of an embryo — see also wheat germ
▪ the germ that causes tuberculosis
▪ the germ of an idea
b : a very small amount of something
▪ a germ of truth
▪ a germ cell ▪ the germ layers of an embryo — see also wheat germ
