german, a. [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.].

Nearly related; closely akin. [1913 Webster]

"Wert thou a leopard, thou wert german to the lion." [1913 Webster]

Brother german. See Brother german. -- Cousins german. See the Note under Cousin.

german, n. [L. Germanus, prob. of Celtis origin.].

A native or one of the people of Germany. [1913 Webster]
The German language. [1913 Webster]
A round dance, often with a waltz movement, abounding in capriciosly involved figures. [1913 Webster]

High German, the Teutonic dialect of Upper or Southern Germany, -- comprising Old High German, used from the 8th to the 11th century; Middle H. G., from the 12th to the 15th century; and Modern or New H. G., the language of Luther's Bible version and of modern German literature. The dialects of Central Germany, the basis of the modern literary language, are often called Middle German, and the Southern German dialects Upper German; but High German is also used to cover both groups. -- Low German, the language of Northern Germany and the Netherlands, -- including Friesic; Anglo-Saxon or Saxon; Old Saxon; Dutch or Low Dutch, with its dialect, Flemish; and Plattdeutsch (called also Low German), spoken in many dialects.

german, a. [L. Germanus. See German, n.].

Of or pertaining to Germany. [1913 Webster]

" This line is German Text."

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

german, n. & adj.
--n.
1 a native or national of Germany; a person of German descent.
2 the language of Germany, also used in Austria and Switzerland.
--adj. of or relating to Germany or its people or language.

Idiom

German measles a contagious disease, rubella, with symptoms like mild measles. German shepherd (or shepherd dog) an Alsatian. German silver a white alloy of nickel, zinc, and copper. High German a literary and cultured form of German. Low German German dialects other than High German.

Etymology

L Germanus with ref. to related peoples of Central and N. Europe, a name perh. given by Celts to their neighbours: cf. OIr. gair neighbour

german, adj. (placed after brother, sister, or cousin)
1 having both parents the same (brother german).
2 having both grandparents the same on one side (cousin german).
3 archaic germane.

Etymology

ME f. OF germain f. L germanus genuine, of the same parents

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ROGET THESAURUS

german

Consanguinity

N consanguinity, relationship, kindred, blood, parentage, filiation, affiliation, lineage, agnation, connection, alliance, family connection, family tie, ties of blood, nepotism, kinsman, kinfolk, kith and kin, relation, relative, connection, sibling, sib, next of kin, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, cousin, cousin- german, first cousin, second cousin, cousin once removed, cousin twice removed, ear relation, distant relation, brother, sister, one's own flesh and blood, family, fraternity, brotherhood, sisterhood, cousinhood, race, stock, generation, sept, stirps, side, strain, breed, clan, tribe, nation, related, akin, consanguineous, of the blood, family, allied, collateral, cognate, agnate, connate, kindred, affiliated, fraternal, intimately related, nearly related, closely related, remotely related, distantly related, allied, german.

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