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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. a dance consisting of complicated figures and changes of partners
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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. a less common word for germane
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

German

3

/ 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

    Volga Germans

    Swiss Germans

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. denoting, relating to, or using the German language
  2. relating to, denoting, or characteristic of any German state or its people
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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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
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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)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of german1

C19: shortened from German cotillion

Origin of german2

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

The first viable, non-toxic chemically derived sugar substitute was discovered in the late 18th century by a German chemist.

It was 19th century German astronomer Samuel Heinrich Schwabe who realized that such solar activity ebbs and flows during 11-year cycles.

The German group then plans to react hydrogen with carbon dioxide captured from the cement plant to produce both methanol, a chemical feedstock, and synthetic jet fuel.

The German auto giant also agreed to set up a joint venture with the company to mass-produce the batteries and says they’ll be in its electric cars and trucks on the road by 2025.

The German team had perhaps the toughest experimental recipe.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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GermaineGerman Africa