Search the Dictionary

The old theory that the egg contains the whole embryo of the future organism and the germs of all subsequent offsprings and is merely awakened to activity by the spermatozoön; -- opposed to spermism or animalculism.

A germinal vesicle.

led encasement theory), current during the last century, that the egg was the real animal germ, and that at the time of fecundation the spermatozoa simply gave the impetus which caused the unfolding of the egg, in which all generations were inclosed one within the other. Also called ovist.

elops into a mass of cells, constituting a new individual like the parent; an egg, spore, germ, or germ cell. See Illust. of Mycropyle.

A Chinese alloy of nickel, zinc, and copper, resembling German silver.

who presided in the domestic court, and had the superintendence, of a royal household in Germany.

The doctrine of the widespread distribution of germs, from which under favorable circumstances bacteria, vibrios, etc., may develop.

Originating in the character of the germ, or at the first commencement of an individual; -- said of peculiarities of structure, character, etc.

ervention of the male element; the production, without fertilization, of cells capable of germination. It is one of the phenomena of alternate generation. Cf. Heterogamy, and Metagenesis.

Referring to, or produced by, particles, such as dust, minute germs, etc. [R.] The smallpox is a particulate disease. Tyndall.

., by exposure to a temperature of 140º F., thus destroying the vitality of the contained germs or ferments.

people; -- sometimes used as an indefinite subject or verb, like on in French, and man in German; as, people in adversity. People were tempted to lend by great premiums. Swift . People have lived twenty-four days upon nothing but water. Arbuthnot .

A form of coöperative bank, such as those of Germany; -- a term loosely used for various forms of coöperative financial institutions.

A small copper coin of Germany. It is the hundredth part of a mark, or about a quarter of a cent in United States currency.

A system of education on so-called natural principles, attempted in Germany in the last century by Basedow, of Dessau.

A Philistine; -- a cant name given to townsmen by students in German universities.

The germ history of the functions, or the history of the development of vital activities, in the individual, being one of the branches of ontogeny. See Morphogeny. Haeckel.

One of a class of religious reformers in Germany in the 17th century who sought to revive declining piety in the Protestant churches; -- often applied as a term of reproach to those who make a display of religious feeling. Also used adjectively.

tries of Europe. In Spain it was equivalent to a quarter doubloon, or about $3.90, and in Germany and Italy nearly the same. There was an old Italian pistole worth about $5.40.

To engender; to generate; to set the germ of. It engenders choler, planteth anger. Shak.