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),  a dancing party featuring the german.

German

¹

/ ˈdʒɜːmən /

noun

1. 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. 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. a less common word for germane

german

³

/ ˈdʒɜːmən /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• anti-German noun
• half-German adjective
• non-German adjective
• pre-German adjective
• pro-German adjective
• pseudo-German adjective
• quasi-German adjective
• un-German 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

The German officially took over on 1 January - two and a half months after his unveiling - but England have only played four games since, with Wayne Rooney describing the fixtures as "nonsense" in any case.

From BBC

"With the clock ticking towards the World Cup, now is the time for the German to demonstrate the shape, strategy and identity he wants his England team to have."

From BBC

This includes German settlers like Schmitt’s ancestors, a group at one time considered nonwhite, but not the Black slaves who built much of the country and whose roots here largely predate his own, nor countless other ethnic groups who have made significant contributions to this nation.

From Slate

The German is now going to have to hope that the muscular issues that have forced Stones to pull out are not too serious and that he can include the City defender in his squad in October.

From BBC

Two more children swiftly followed: Lady Helen and Lord Nicholas Windsor - but, in 1975, Katharine caught German measles during her fourth pregnancy.

From BBC