germ

/dʒɜːm/ noun

Definition

› [C] a very small living thing that causes disease: Wash your hands before cooking so that you don't spread germs.

the germ of sth › the beginning of something: the germ of a brilliant idea

(Definition of germ noun from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

to get rid of something or someone that is not wanted or needed

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