GERMINAL, zhâr′mḗ′nȧl′ (Fr., relating to buds). (1) The name for the seventh month of the year in the French Republican calendar, from March 21st to April 19th during the years I.-III., and from March 22d to April 20th during the years VIII.-XIII. (2) One of the Rougon-Macquart novels by Zola (1885), dealing pessimistically with the question of labor as shown in the mines. Etienne, a type of laborer who has fallen under the influence of socialistic ideas, is contrasted with the rich Grégoire, indifferent to the problems of the workmen. The story introduces strongly drawn characters, and its descriptions of the collier's life and of the scenes of the strike are among Zola's best work.