Ger"lind (?), n. (Zoˆl.) A salmon returning from the sea the second
time. [Prov. Eng.]
Germ (?), 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 organism appears.
In the entire process in which a new being originates . . . two
distinct classes of action participate; namely, the act of
generation by which the germ is produced; and the act of
development, by which that germ is evolved into the complete
organism.
Carpenter.
2. That from which anything springs; origin; first principle; as, the
germ of civil liberty.
Disease germ (Biol.), a name applied to certain tiny bacterial
organisms or their spores, such as Anthrax bacillus and the Micrococcus
of fowl cholera, which have been demonstrated to be the cause of
certain diseases. See Germ theory (below). -- Germ cell (Biol.), the
germ, egg, spore, or cell from which the plant or animal arises. At one
time a part of the body of the parent, it finally becomes detached,and
by a process of multiplication and growth gives rise to a mass of
cells, which ultimately form a new individual like the parent. See
Ovum. -- Germ gland. (Anat.) See Gonad. -- Germ stock (Zoˆl.), a
special process on which buds are developed in certain animals. See
Doliolum. -- Germ theory (Biol.), the theory that living organisms can
be produced only by the evolution or development of living germs or
seeds. See Biogenesis, and Abiogenesis. As applied to the origin of
disease, the theory claims that the zymotic diseases are due to the
rapid development and multiplication of various bacteria, the germs or
spores of which are either contained in the organism itself, or
transferred through the air or water. See Fermentation theory.
Germ (?), v. i. To germinate. [R.] J. Morley.
Ger*main" (?), a. [Obs.] See Germane.
Ger"man (?), a. [OE. german, germain, F. germain, fr. L. germanus full,
own (said of brothers and sisters who have the same parents); akin to
germen germ. Cf. Germ, Germane.] Nearly related; closely akin.
Wert thou a leopard, thou wert german to the lion.
Shak.
Brother german. See Brother german. -- Cousins german. See the Note
under Cousin.
Ger"man, n.; pl. Germans (#) [L. Germanus, prob. of Celtis origin.] 1.
A native or one of the people of Germany.