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germe

germ, seed

noun ZHEHRM Rare

Also means

sprout (food)

Usage Note

Germe covers both biological senses: a pathogenic microorganism ('germ') and the embryo or shoot of a plant ('seed, sprout'). Germes de blé are wheat germ and germes de soja are bean sprouts. The verb germer means 'to germinate', and en germe (in embryo) is a common idiomatic phrase meaning 'in its early stages'.

Examples

"Ces germes peuvent provoquer une infection."

Natural Translation

These germs can cause an infection.

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