german

[ jur-muh n ]
/ ˈdʒɜr mən /

adjective

having the same father and mother, as a full brother or sister (usually used in combination): a brother-german.
born of the brother or sister of one's father or mother, as a first cousin (usually used in combination): a cousin-german.
Archaic. germane.

Origin of german

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

Definition for german (2 of 2)

German
[ jur-muh n ]
/ ˈdʒɜr mən /

adjective

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

noun

Origin of German

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

OTHER WORDS FROM German

Example sentences from the Web for german

British Dictionary definitions for german (1 of 3)

german 1
/ (ˈdʒɜːmən) /

noun

US a dance consisting of complicated figures and changes of partners

Word Origin for german

C19: shortened from German cotillion

British Dictionary definitions for german (2 of 3)

german 2
/ (ˈdʒɜːmən) /

adjective

(used in combination)
  1. having the same parents as oneselfa brother-german
  2. having a parent that is a brother or sister of either of one's own parentscousin-german
a less common word for germane

Word Origin for german

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

British Dictionary definitions for german (3 of 3)

German
/ (ˈdʒɜːmən) /

noun

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
a native, inhabitant, or citizen of Germany
a person whose native language is German Swiss Germans; Volga Germans

adjective

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

Other words from German

Related prefixes: Germano-, Teuto-