■ noun
1》 a microorganism, especially one which causes disease.
2》 a portion of an organism capable of developing into a new one or part of one.
↘the embryo in a cereal grain or other plant seed.
3》 an initial stage from which something may develop: the ~ of a brilliant idea.
Derivatives
~y adjective ( informal ).
Origin
ME: via OFr. from L. ~en 'seed, sprout'.