Definitions
1.nounThe small mass of cells from which a new organism develops; a seed, bud or spore.
2.nounA pathogenic microorganism.
3.nounThe embryo of a seed, especially of a seed used as a cereal or grain. See Wikipedia article on cereal germ.
4.nounThe origin of an idea or project."the germ of civil liberty"
5.nounAn equivalence class that includes a specified function defined in an open neighborhood.