Germ vs. Gem

Germnoun

(biology) The small mass of cells from which a new organism develops; a seed, bud or spore.

Germnoun

A pathogenic microorganism.

Germnoun

The embryo of a seed, especially of a seed used as a cereal or grain. See Wikipedia article on cereal germ.

Germnoun

(figurative) The origin of an idea or project.

Germnoun

An equivalence class that includes a specified function defined in an open neighborhood.

Germverb

To germinate.

Germverb

(slang) To grow, as if parasitic.

Germnoun

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.

Germnoun

That from which anything springs; origin; first principle; as, the germ of civil liberty.

Germnoun

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.

Germnoun

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.

Germverb

To germinate.

Germnoun

anything that provides inspiration for later work

Germnoun

a small simple structure (as a fertilized egg) from which new tissue can develop into a complete organism

Germnoun

a minute life form (especially a disease-causing bacterium); the term is not in technical use

Gemnoun

A precious stone, usually of substantial monetary value or prized for its beauty or shine.

Gemnoun

(figuratively) Any precious or highly valued thing or person.

Gemnoun

Anything of small size, or expressed within brief limits, which is regarded as a gem on account of its beauty or value, such as a small picture, a verse of poetry, or an epigram.

Gemnoun

(obsolete) A gemma or leaf-bud.

Gemnoun

A type of geometrid moth, Orthonama obstipata.

Gemnoun

(computing) A package containing programs or libraries for the Ruby programming language.

Gemnoun

A size of type between brilliant (4-point) and diamond (4½-point), running 222 lines to the foot.

Gemverb

(transitive) To adorn with, or as if with, gems.

Gemnoun

A bud.

Gemnoun

A precious stone of any kind, as the ruby, emerald, topaz, sapphire, beryl, spinel, etc., especially when cut and polished for ornament; a jewel.

Gemnoun

Anything of small size, or expressed within brief limits, which is regarded as a gem on account of its beauty or value, as a small picture, a verse of poetry, a witty or wise saying.

Gemverb

To put forth in the form of buds.

Gemverb

To adorn with gems or precious stones.

Gemverb

To embellish or adorn, as with gems; as, a foliage gemmed with dewdrops.

Gemnoun

a crystalline rock that can be cut and polished for jewelry;

Gemnoun

art highly prized for its beauty or perfection

Gemnoun

a person who is a brilliant and precious as a piece of jewelry

Gemnoun

a sweet quick bread baked in a cup-shaped pan

Gemnoun

a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry