Lewis & Short

germen, ĭnis, n. [Sanscr. root grabh-, grah-, to conceive; garbh-as, child; whence, βρέφος (for γρέφος), germanus, perh. gremium], a sprig, offshoot, sprout, bud (poet. and in post-Aug. prose).

  1. I. Lit.: huc aliena ex arbore germen Includunt, Verg. G. 2, 76: serotino germine malus, tardissimo suber, Plin. 16, 25, 41, § 98; Vulg. Deut. 11, 17 et saep.
    In plur.: inque novos soles audent se germina tuto Credere, Verg. G. 2, 332; Plin. 18, 10, 21, § 94: auctumni maturet germina Virgo, fruits, Claud. Laud. Stil. 2, 465: impleratque uterum generoso germine, fœtus, embryo, Ov. M. 9, 280; so, celsa Tonantis, i. e. daughter, Claud. Rapt. Pros. 2, 76: servile, Just. 18, 3 fin.; and of puppies, whelps, Nemes. Cyneg. 155.
    1. B. Transf.: cara maris, i. e. precious stones, Claud. Ep. ad Ser. 14: frontis, i. e. a horn, id. Rapt. Pros. 1, 129.
  2. II. Trop., a germ: rabies unde illaec germina surgunt, Lucr. 4, 1083: germen ab aethere trahere, origin, Prud. Cath. 10, 32: germine nobilis Eulalia, id. στεφ. 3, 1.