germane: [19] Germane is an alteration of german ‘closely related’ [14], which now survives only in the rather archaic expression cousin-german. This came via Old French germain from Latin germānus, which meant ‘of the same race’ (it was a derivative of germen ‘sprout, offspring’, from which English gets germ). The use of germane for ‘relevant’ as opposed to simply ‘related’ seems to have been inspired by Hamlet’s comment that a remark of Osric’s would have been ‘more german to the matter, if we could carry cannon by our sides’. (The nationality term German [16], incidentally, is probably of Celtic origin, and has no etymological connection with germane.) => germ
germane (adj.)
mid-14c., "having the same parents," same as german (adj.) but directly from Latin germanus instead of via French (compare urbane/urban). Main modern sense of "closely connected, relevant" (c. 1600) derives from use in "Hamlet" Act V, Scene ii: "The phrase would bee more Germaine to the matter: If we could carry Cannon by our sides," which is a figurative use of the word in the now-obsolete loosened sense of "closely related, akin" (late 15c.) in reference to things, not persons.
实用例句
1. remarks that are germane to the discussion
与这次讨论密切相关的谈话
来自《权威词典》
2. He asks questions that are germane and central to the issue.
他问了一些与论点有密切关系的重要问题.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. The fact is not germane to this issue.
此事实兴此问题无密切关系.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. Fenton was a good listener, and his questions were germane.
芬顿听得聚精会神，提问也切中要害。
来自辞典例句
5. He asks questions that are Germane and central to the issue.
