germ
n
1 [C] portion of a living organism capable of becoming a new organism; embryo of a seed 胚芽; 芽孢; 胚.
2 [C] micro-organism, esp one capable of causing disease 微生物; 细菌; (尤指)病菌
Disinfectant kills germs. 消毒剂可杀菌.
[attrib 作定语]
germ warfare, ie the use of harmful bacteria as a weapon of war 细菌战.
3 [sing] the ~ of sth (fig 比喻) beginning from which sth may develop (某物的)发端, 起源, 萌芽
the germ of an idea 一种想法的发端.
The fax has greatly changed office work, especially in China.
特别是在中国,传真机大大地改变了办公室的工作。
Twelve days later, millions more Indians lined the railway tracks as a slow train took the jar containing his ashes 584 kilometres to a place by the river.