GERM Copy link • GERMPROPR., germen: asparagus (the asparagus-like germ of several plants; ☞ Plin., 23, 1, 17; 21, 15, 54): cyma (young, tender germ, especially of the cabbage tribe). To destroy the germ of a plant, fetum reprimere (☞ Cic., Brut., 4, 16, Meyer). IMPROPR., semen (the seed; e.g., malorum, discordiarum): igniculus, especially in plur., igniculi (the first sparks; e.g., virtutum): initium (general term for beginning of anything): ☞ germen, in this sense, is without good ancient authority, except poetically, Lucr., 4, 1079. To destroy or crush the first germ of anything, aliquid primo tempore opprimere et exstinguere: things apparently unimportant often contain the germ of great events, ex rebus primo aspectu levibus magnarum saepe rerum motus oriuntur.