n. 25B6; noun
this detergent kills germs : MICROBE, micro-organism, bacillus, bacterium, virus; informal bug.
a fertilized germ : EMBRYO, bud; seed, spore, ovule; egg, ovum.
the germ of an idea : START, beginning(s), seed, embryo, bud, root, rudiment; origin, source, potential; core, nucleus, kernel, essence.