germ

Everyday

1. A very tiny living thing, too small to see, that can make people or animals ill. tree →
2. The very beginning of something that grows: "the germ of an idea". tree →
3. The part of a seed that grows into a plant (wheat germ). tree →

In the lessons

In science and health, germs (bacteria and viruses) spread through coughs, sneezes, dirty hands and food; our body fights them; vaccines help. In everyday life: wash hands with soap for 20 seconds, cover coughs, don't share drinks when ill. Phrases: spread germs, kill germs, germ-free.

Examples

• Wash your hands to get rid of germs. tree →
• Germs are too small to see. tree →
• Sneeze into your elbow so germs don't spread. tree →
• Some germs make you sick. tree →
• Soap kills many germs. tree →
• Germs can live on door handles. tree →
• Cook meat well to kill germs. tree →
• That was the germ of a great idea. tree →
• "Why, it's a mass of scarlet fever germs!-Burn it at once. tree →

Note

Germs can't be seen without a microscope. Not all tiny living things are harmful; some bacteria help us. Antibiotics work on bacteria, not on viruses like a cold.

In Jewish tradition

In science and health, germs (bacteria and viruses) spread through coughs, sneezes, dirty hands and food; our body fights them; vaccines help. In everyday life: wash hands with soap for 20 seconds, cover coughs, don't share drinks when ill. Phrases: spread germs, kill germs, germ-free.

Examples

• Although there is an exuberance of weeds, we will find, nevertheless, many germs of truisms, which are of the greatest importance. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →

Note

Germs can't be seen without a microscope. Not all tiny living things are harmful; some bacteria help us. Antibiotics work on bacteria, not on viruses like a cold.