german Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person of German nationality
  2. noun the standard German language; developed historically from West Germanic
    German language; High German.
  3. adjective of or pertaining to or characteristic of Germany or its people or language
    • German philosophers
    • German universities
    • German literature

WordNet

Ger"man adjective
Etymology
OE. german, germain, F. germain, fr. L. germanus full, own (said of brothers and sisters who have the same parents); akin to germen germ. Cf. Germ, Germane.
Definitions
  1. Nearly related; closely akin.
    Wert thou a leopard, thou wert german to the lion. Shak.
Ger"man noun
Etymology
L. Germanus, prob. of Celtis origin.
Wordforms
plural
plural Germans
Definitions
  1. A native or one of the people of Germany.
  2. The German language.
  3. (a) A round dance, often with a waltz movement, abounding in capriciosly involved figures. (b) A social party at which the german is danced.
Ger"man adjective
Etymology
L. Germanus. See German, n.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to Germany.

Webster 1913