germˈinant adjective

1. Sprouting
2. Budding
3. Capable of developing

germˈinate intransitive verb

(esp of a seed or spore) to begin to grow

To cause to sprout

germināˈtion noun

germˈinative adjective

germ cell noun

A gamete, a sperm or ovum, or a cell from which it springs

germ layer noun

A primary cell-layer in an embryo, ie ectoderm, mesoderm, or endoderm

germ line noun (biology)

The cells whose descendants give rise to the gametes

germˈ-line therapy noun

A form of gene therapy that treats the reproductive cells of the body

germ plasm noun

In early theories of inheritance, the name given to the heritable material, which is now known to be the chromosomes

germ theory noun

1. The theory that all living organisms can be produced only from living organisms, by the growth and development of germ cells
2. The theory that micro-organisms cause all infectious diseases

germ warfare noun

Warfare in which bacteria or viruses are used as weapons