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Germ vs Fomes - What's the difference?

germ | fomes |

As nouns the difference between germ and fomes

is that germ is (uk|derogatory) a german person while fomes is (medicine|obsolete) any substance supposed to be capable of absorbing, retaining, and transporting contagious or infectious germs.

germ

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (biology) The small mass of cells from which a new organism develops; a seed, bud or spore.
  • A pathogenic microorganism.
  • The origin of an idea or project.
  • the germ of civil liberty
  • The embryo of a seed, especially of a seed used as a cereal or grain. See .
  • Derived terms

    * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To germinate.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
  • O for a withering curse to blast the germing of their wicked machinations.
  • * Thomas Hardy
  • Thus tempted, the lust to avenge me / Germed inly and grew.
  • (slang) To grow, as if parasitic.
  • * "I’m addicted, want to germ inside your love" - Just Can't Get Enough by the Black Eyed Peas
  • See also

    * (l) * (l) * (l) * (l)

    fomes

    English

    Noun

    (fomites)
  • (medicine, obsolete) Any substance supposed to be capable of absorbing, retaining, and transporting contagious or infectious germs.
  • Woollen clothes are said to be active fomites .
    (Webster 1913) ----