Germane
/dʒərˈmeɪn/noun
Closely related or relevant to the matter at hand.
Did you know?Germane ultimately comes from Latin *germanus*, meaning “having the same parents” or “full sibling,” a family-rooted word that later shifted into the idea of being genuinely connected or fitting.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gene-
“to give birth; beget”
Latin
Latin
germanus
“full sibling; of the same parents”
Late Latin
Latin
germānus
“authentic, genuine; closely akin”
Old French
Old French
germain
“related by blood; akin”
Middle English
English
germain
“having kinship; relevant or pertinent”
Modern English
English
germane
“relevant; applicable”