• German

    Origin 1

    From Old French germain, from Latin germānus. See also germane, a formal variant which has survived in specific senses. Not related to the proper noun German.

    Full definition of german

    Adjective

    german

    1. (obsolete except in set terms) Having the same mother and father; a full (brother or sister).brother-german
    2. (obsolete except in set terms) Being born to one’s blood aunt or uncle, a first (cousin).cousin-german
    3. (obsolete) Closely related, akin.
      • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book II:Also he tolde hym that Basdemegus was his cosyn and germayn vnto kynge Uryence.
      • 1602, William Shakespeare, Hamlet, V.2:The phrase would bee more Germaine.
      • ShakespeareWert thou a leopard, thou wert german to the lion.

    Noun

    german

    (plural germans)
    1. (obsolete) A near relative.
      • 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, II.viii:Which when his german saw, the stony feare
        Ran to his hart, and all his sence dismayd ...

    Origin 2

    From German ("of Germany").

    Noun

    german

    (plural germans)
    1. An elaborate round dance, often with a waltz movement.
      • 1985, Betty Casey, Dance Across Texas (page 49)Through the years, though, the german was replaced by new and more popular dances, but in many instances the name stayed on.
    2. A social party at which the german is danced.
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