germBrE/dʒɜːm/NAmE/dʒɜːrm/noun[C, usually pl.]averysmalllivingthingthatcancauseinfectionanddisease微生物;细菌;病菌◆Disinfectantkillsgerms. 消毒剂可杀菌。◆Dirtyhandscanbeabreedinggroundforgerms. 脏手可能滋生病菌。[sing.]~ofsthanearlystageofthedevelopmentofsth起源;发端;萌芽◆Herewasthegermofabrilliantidea. 一个绝妙的主意就是从这里萌发的。[C](biology生物) thepartofaplantorananimalthatcandevelopintoanewone胚芽;胚原基;芽孢;胚胎➡ see alsowheatgerm