german

¹

[ jur-muhn ]

adjective

1. having the same father and mother, as a full brother or sister (usually used in combination):

   a brother-german.

2. born of the brother or sister of one's father or mother, as a first cousin (usually used in combination):

   a cousin-german.

3. Archaic. germane.

German

²

[ jur-muhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Germany, its inhabitants, or their language.

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Germany.
2. a descendant of a native of Germany.
3. Also called High German. an Indo-European language that is based on a High German dialect, is official in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and is also widely used as an international language for scholarship and science. : G, G.
4. Linguistics. any variety of West Germanic speech native to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
5. (usually lowercase) an elaborate social dance resembling a cotillion.
6. (lowercase) New England and South Atlantic States. a dancing party featuring the german.

German

¹

/ ˈdʒɜːmən /

noun

1. See Low German, High German
   the official language of Germany and Austria and one of the official languages of Switzerland; the native language of approximately 100 million people. It is an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch, closely related to English and Dutch. There is considerable diversity of dialects; modern standard German is a development of Old High German, influenced by Martin Luther's translation of the Bible See also High German Low German
2. a native, inhabitant, or citizen of Germany
3. a person whose native language is German

   Swiss Germans

   Volga Germans

adjective

1. denoting, relating to, or using the German language
2. relating to, denoting, or characteristic of any German state or its people

german

²

/ ˈdʒɜːmən /

adjective

1. used in combination
   1. having the same parents as oneself

      a brother-german

   2. having a parent that is a brother or sister of either of one's own parents

      cousin-german

2. See germane
   a less common word for germane

german

³

/ ˈdʒɜːmən /

noun

1. a dance consisting of complicated figures and changes of partners

Other Words From

• an·ti-Ger·man noun adjective
• half-Ger·man adjective
• non-Ger·man adjective noun
• pre-Ger·man adjective noun
• pro-Ger·man adjective noun
• pseu·do-Ger·man adjective noun
• qua·si-Ger·man adjective
• un-Ger·man adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of german¹

1250–1300; Middle English germain < Old French < Latin germānus, derivative of germen; germ

Origin of german²

1520–30; < Latin Germānus German; cognate with Greek Germanoí (plural)

Word History and Origins

Origin of german¹

C14: via Old French germain, from Latin germānus of the same race, from germen sprout, offshoot

Origin of german²

C19: shortened from German cotillion

Example Sentences

An additional 12,000 took to the streets in other German towns.

From The Daily Beast

But few of us would recognize the name of Dietrich von Hildebrand, a German philosopher-turned-outspoken Nazi antagonist.

From The Daily Beast

In the video, the bus is getting searched by a cop with a German shepherd.

From The Daily Beast

Many more German divisions would enter the fray over the next few days.

From The Daily Beast

In the event, the enemy did plenty—far more than SHAEF, or for that matter the German high command, imagined possible.

From The Daily Beast

He was a bookseller, but better known as a translator of the German contributor to the Gentleman's Magazine, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

It is, however, true, that in this respect the German hexametrist has a considerable advantage over the English.

From Project Gutenberg

To talk German was beyond the sweep of my dizziest ambition, but an Italian runner or porter instantly presented himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Gottfried Achenwall, an eminent German lecturer on statistics, history and the laws of nature, died at Gttingen.

From Project Gutenberg

The governess is Swiss and for one week she talks nothing but French and for another nothing but German.

From Project Gutenberg