definition of
germ

[1] #1 germ n. [source, seed] anything that provides inspiration for later work. wn

[2] #2 germ n. a small apparently simple structure (as a fertilized egg) from which new tissue can develop into a complete organism. wn

[3] #3 germ n. [microbe, bug] a minute life form (especially a disease-causing bacterium); the term is not in technical use. wn