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Germ vs Microbial - What's the difference?

germ | microbial |

As a noun germ

is (uk|derogatory) a german person.

As an adjective microbial is

of, relating to, or caused by microbes or microorganisms.

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)

    microbial

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Of, relating to, or caused by microbes or microorganisms.
  • *{{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= Katrina G. Claw
  • , title= Rapid Evolution in Eggs and Sperm , volume=101, issue=3, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Many genes with reproductive roles also have antibacterial and immune functions, which indicate that the threat of microbial attack on the sperm or egg may be a major influence on rapid evolution during reproduction.}}