/ dʒɜːˈmeɪniəm; NAmE dʒɜːr-/ noun
[ U ] ( symb Ge ) a chemical element. Germanium is a shiny grey element that is similar to a metal (= is a metalloid ) .
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WORD ORIGIN
late 19th cent.: modern Latin , from Latin Germanus , used to designate related peoples of central and northern Europe, a name perhaps given by Celts to their neighbours.