I. ˈjərmən, ˈjə̄m-, ˈjəim-
archaic
variant of germane
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French germain brother, cousin, from germain, adjective, having the same parents, from Latin germanus, irregular from germin-, germen + -anus -an
obsolete : a near relative
you'll have coursers for cousins, and gennets for germans — Shakespeare
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin Germanus, from Latin, any member of the Germanic peoples that inhabited western Europe in Roman times
1. capitalized
a. : a native or inhabitant of Germany
b. : a person of German descent
2. capitalized
a. : the West Germanic language spoken mainly in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland — see high german , low german ; indo-european languages table
b. : the literary and official language of Germany — called also High German ; see middle high german , old high german
3. capitalized : one who speaks the German language or its dialectal variants outside Germany (as a Swiss German)
4. sometimes capitalized
a. or german cotillion : a dance consisting of capriciously involved figures intermingled with waltzes
b. chiefly Midland : a dancing party ; specifically : one at which the german is danced
5. usually capitalized : albacore 1
IV. adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Latin Germanus of or relating to the Germanic peoples that inhabited western Europe in Roman times
1.
a. : of, relating to, or characteristic of Germany
b. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Germans
2. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the German language
• ger·man·ly adverb , usually capitalized