nidus
Infection's starting point
A nidus is a place where something develops or originates—literally a nest.
In medicine, it refers to a site where bacteria multiply or where an infection begins: The surgical wound became a nidus for infection.
More broadly, any focal point from which something spreads: The café served as a nidus for revolutionary ideas.
Plural: nidi or niduses.
Point of creation
- inceptionFounding moment
- sourcePoint of origin
- cradleRocking bed for infants
- seedbedPrepared ground for sprouting
birthplace · nucleus · germ · kernel · beginning · fountainhead · wellspring · embryo
Disease-causing microorganism
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- lesionArea of pathological change
- abscessLocalized pus collection
ulcer · inflammation · sepsis · contagion · microbe · pustule · boil · wound
Mathematical analysis system
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
- stoneSolid earth fragment
- depositPlace for safekeeping
concretion · granuloma · plaque · nucleus · aggregation · accretion · buildup · gallstone
Hatchlings as a group
- eggsReproductive cells in shells
- roostBird's sleeping spot
- aerieHigh nest of raptors
- nestlingUnfledged young bird
fledgling · clutch · breeding · avian · hatchling · rookery · eyrie · burrow
Rapid increase in quantity
- germinationSeed's initial growth phase
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- incubationDevelopment before emergence
- cultivationFostering growth through care
spawning · budding · propagation · nurture · maturation · fostering · seeding · implantation
genesis
Point of creation
seedbed · birthplace · nucleus · germ · kernel · beginning · fountainhead · wellspring · embryo · spark
pathogen
Disease-causing microorganism
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- lesionArea of pathological change
abscess · ulcer · inflammation · sepsis · contagion · microbe · pustule · boil · wound · contamination
calculus
Mathematical analysis system
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
- stoneSolid earth fragment
deposit · concretion · granuloma · plaque · nucleus · aggregation · accretion · buildup · gallstone · kidney stone
brood
Hatchlings as a group
nestling · fledgling · clutch · breeding · avian · hatchling · rookery · eyrie · burrow · den
proliferation
Rapid increase in quantity
- germinationSeed's initial growth phase
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- incubationDevelopment before emergence
cultivation · spawning · budding · propagation · nurture · maturation · fostering · seeding · implantation · gestation
nidusdiffusion
Passive molecular spreading
dissemination · dispersion · scatter · spread · metastasis
nidusmanifestation
Outward display of something
sequela · outcome · result · consequence · extension