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ger·mi·nate

(jûrmə-nāt′)

v. ger·mi·nat·ed, ger·mi·nat·ing, ger·mi·nates

v.tr.

To cause to sprout or grow.

v.intr.

1. To begin to sprout or grow.

2. To come into existence: An idea germinated in his mind.

[Latin germināre, germināt-, to sprout, from germen, germin-, sprout, bud; see genə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

ger′mi·nation n.

germi·na′tive adj.

germi·na′tor n.

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germinate

germination of a bean seed

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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