Definition of german
: having the same parents or the same grandparents on either the maternal or paternal side —usually used after the noun which it modifies and joined to it by a hyphen brother-german cousin-german
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Origin and Etymology of german
Middle English germain, from Anglo-French, from Latin germanus having the same parents, from germen
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Anthropology Terms
german
Definition of german
obsolete
: a near relative
15th Century
First Known Use of german
15th century
Other Anthropology Terms
Definition of German
1 : a member of any of the Germanic peoples inhabiting western Europe in Roman times
2a : a native or inhabitant of Germanyb : a person of German descentc : one whose native language is German and who is a native of a country other than Germany
3a : the Germanic language spoken mainly in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerlandb : the literary and official language of Germany
4 often not capitalized a : a dance consisting of intricate figures that are improvised and intermingled with waltzesb chiefly Midland : a dancing party; specifically : one at which the german is danced
Origin and Etymology of german
Middle English, from Medieval Latin Germanus, from Latin
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Language Terms
15th Century
First Known Use of german
15th century
Other Language Terms
GERMAN Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of German for English Language Learners
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: a person born, raised, or living in Germany : a person whose family is from Germany
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: the language of Germany that is also spoken in Austria, parts of Switzerland, and other places
GERMAN Defined for Kids
Definition of German for Students
1 : a person born or living in Germany
2 : the language spoken mainly in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland
Definition of German for Students
: of or relating to Germany, the Germans, or the German language
Learn More about german
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See words that rhyme with german Spanish Central: Translation of german Nglish: Translation of german for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of german for Arabic speakers
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