Main Entry: ¹Ger·man

Pronunciation: \ˈjər-mən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin Germanus, from Latin

Date: 14th century

1 : a member of any of the Germanic peoples inhabiting western Europe in Roman times
2 a : a native or inhabitant of Germany b : a person of German descent c : one whose native language is German and who is a native of a country other than Germany
3 a : the Germanic language spoken mainly in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland b : the literary and official language of Germany
4 often not capitalized a : a dance consisting of intricate figures that are improvised and intermingled with waltzes b chiefly Midland : a dancing party; specifically : one at which the german is danced