disease germ

2 definitions found

disease germ - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Germ \Germ\ (j[~e]rm), n. [F. germe, fr. L. germen, germinis,
     sprout, but, germ. Cf. Germen, Germane.]
     1. (Biol.) That which is to develop a new individual; as, the
        germ of a fetus, of a plant or flower, and the like; the
        earliest form under which an organism appears.
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              In the entire process in which a new being
              originates . . . two distinct classes of action
              participate; namely, the act of generation by which
              the germ is produced; and the act of development, by
              which that germ is evolved into the complete
              organism.                             --Carpenter.
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     2. That from which anything springs; origin; first principle;
        as, the germ of civil liberty.
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     3. (Biol.) The germ cells, collectively, as distinguished
        from the somatic cells, or soma. Germ is often used in
        place of germinal to form phrases; as, germ area, germ
        disc, germ membrane, germ nucleus, germ sac, etc.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     4. A microorganism, especially a disease-causing bacterium or
        virus; -- used informally, as, the don't eat food that
        falls on the floor, it may have germs on it.
        [PJC]
  
     Disease germ (Biol.), a name applied to certain tiny
        bacterial organisms or their spores, such as Anthrax  bacillus
         and the Micrococcus of fowl cholera, which
        have been demonstrated to be the cause of certain
        diseases; same as germ[4]. See Germ theory (below).
  
     Germ cell (Biol.), the germ, egg, spore, or cell from which
        the plant or animal arises. At one time a part of the body
        of the parent, it finally becomes detached, and by a
        process of multiplication and growth gives rise to a mass
        of cells, which ultimately form a new individual like the
        parent. See Ovum.
  
     Germ gland. (Anat.) See Gonad.
  
     Germ stock (Zool.), a special process on which buds are
        developed in certain animals. See Doliolum.
  
     Germ theory (Biol.), the theory that living organisms can
        be produced only by the evolution or development of living
        germs or seeds. See Biogenesis, and Abiogenesis. As
        applied to the origin of disease, the theory claims that
        the zymotic diseases are due to the rapid development and
        multiplication of various bacteria, the germs or spores of
        which are either contained in the organism itself, or
        transferred through the air or water. See Fermentation  theory
        .
        [1913 Webster]

  Disease \Dis*ease"\, n. [OE. disese, OF. desaise; des- (L. dis-)
     + aise ease. See Ease.]
     1. Lack of ease; uneasiness; trouble; vexation; disquiet.
        [Obs.]
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              So all that night they passed in great disease.
                                                    --Spenser.
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              To shield thee from diseases of the world. --Shak.
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     2. An alteration in the state of the body or of some of its
        organs, interrupting or disturbing the performance of the
        vital functions, and causing or threatening pain and
        weakness; malady; affection; illness; sickness; disorder;
        -- applied figuratively to the mind, to the moral
        character and habits, to institutions, the state, etc.
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              Diseases desperate grown,
              By desperate appliances are relieved. --Shak.
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              The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced
              into the public counsels have, in truth, been the
              mortal diseases under which popular governments have
              every where perished.                 --Madison.
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     Disease germ. See under Germ.
  
     Syn: Distemper; ailing; ailment; malady; disorder; sickness;
          illness; complaint; indisposition; affection. --
          Disease, Disorder, Distemper, Malady,
          Affection. Disease is the leading medical term.
          Disorder mean? much the same, with perhaps some slight
          reference to an irregularity of the system. Distemper is
          now used by physicians only of the diseases of animals.
          Malady is not a medical term, and is less used than
          formerly in literature. Affection has special reference
          to the part, organ, or function disturbed; as, his
          disease is an affection of the lungs. A disease is
          usually deep-seated and permanent, or at least
          prolonged; a disorder is often slight, partial, and
          temporary; malady has less of a technical sense than the
          other terms, and refers more especially to the suffering
          endured. In a figurative sense we speak of a disease
          mind, of disordered faculties, and of mental maladies.
          [1913 Webster]