germ
     n 1: anything that provides inspiration for later work [syn: {source},
           {seed}]
     2: a small simple structure (as a fertilized egg) from which
        new tissue can develop into a complete organism
     3: a minute life form (especially a disease-causing bacterium);
        the term is not in technical use [syn: {microbe}, {bug}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0