German
Origin 1
From Old French germain, from Latin germÄnus. 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
- (obsolete except in set terms) Having the same mother and father; a full (brother or sister).brother-german
- (obsolete except in set terms) Being born to one’s blood aunt or uncle, a first (cousin).cousin-german
- (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)- (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").