ˈdʒə:mən 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. øGerman
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. [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]