I. jə(r)ˈmān, |jər|m-, (ˈ)jə̄|m-, (ˈ)jəi|m- adjective
Etymology: Middle English germain, germane, literally, having the same parents, from Middle French germain — more at german
1. archaic : true or complete : genuine
2. obsolete : closely akin
3. : having a close relationship : appropriate , pertinent
their bizarre ideas … were scarcely germane to the central lines of medieval thought — H.O.Taylor
Synonyms: see relevant
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from New Latin germ anium + International Scientific Vocabulary meth ane
1. : a compound of germanium and hydrogen ; specifically : the tetrahydride GeH 4 obtained as a colorless gas of nauseating odor by reducing other germanium compounds
2. : a derivative (as trichloro-germane GeHCl 3 ) of a germane