n.[C]

1. 微生物；细菌；病菌
   Disease is usually caused by germs.

   疾病常由病菌造成。

2. 【生】胚；胚芽；种子；芽
3. 起点；起源；萌芽[（+of）]
   It's just the germ of an idea, but something may come out of it.

   这只是个初步的想法，但是也许能有所成就。

vi.

1. 【喻】萌芽；发生

n.

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 germ of a brilliant idea.