different between germane vs serious

English

Etymology 1

Variant form of german, adapted in this sense in allusions to its use in Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Alternative forms

• germain (obsolete)

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d???(?)?me?n/
• Rhymes: -e?n
• (US) IPA^(key): /d???me?n/
• Rhymes: -e?n

Adjective

germane (comparative more germane, superlative most germane)

1. Related to a topic of discussion or consideration.

   Synonyms: pertinent, relevant, apt, on-topic; see also Thesaurus:pertinent

   • 1924, W. D. Ross., translator, Aristotle, Metaphysics. Nashotah, Wisconsin, USA: The Classical Library, 2001, Book 1, Part 5.

     Yet this much is germane to the present inquiry:

Related terms

Translations

Etymology 2

From germ(anium) +? -ane.

Noun

germane (plural germanes)

1. (inorganic chemistry) germanium tetrahydride, GeH₄
3. (organic chemistry, especially in combination) Any organic derivative of this compound.

Synonyms

• germanium tetrahydride
• germanomethane
• monogermane

Translations

References

Anagrams

• Gameren

Esperanto

Pronunciation

Adverb

germane

1. in the German language
2. Germanly; in the manner of a German

Related terms

Italian

Adjective

germane

1. feminine plural of germano

Latin

Etymology 1

germ?nus (“real, sincere”) +? -? (adverb formant)

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /?er?ma?.ne?/, [??r?mä?ne?]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /d??er?ma.ne/, [d???r?m??n?]

Adverb

germ?n? (comparative germ?nius, superlative germ?nissim?)

1. sincerely

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /?er?ma?.ne/, [??r?mä?n?]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /d??er?ma.ne/, [d???r?m??n?]

Adjective

germ?ne

1. masculine vocative singular of germ?nus

References

• germane in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• germane in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• germane in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré Latin-Français, Hachette

English

Etymology

From Middle English seryows, from Old French serieux, from Medieval Latin s?ri?sus, an extension of Latin s?rius (“grave, earnest, serious”), from Proto-Indo-European *swer- (“heavy”). Cognate with German schwer (“heavy, difficult, severe”), Old English sw?r (“heavy, grave, grievous”). More at swear, sweer.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?s???.i.?s/, [?si??.i.?s]
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?s??.?i.?s/
• Rhymes: -???i?s
• Homophones: cereous, Sirius (one pronunciation)

Adjective

serious (comparative more serious or seriouser, superlative most serious or seriousest)

1. Without humor or expression of happiness; grave in manner or disposition

   It was a surprise to see the captain, who had always seemed so serious, laugh so heartily.

   Synonyms: earnest, solemn

2. Important; weighty; not insignificant

   This is a serious problem. We'll need our best experts.

3. Really intending what is said (or planned, etc); in earnest; not jocular or deceiving

   After all these years, we're finally getting serious attention.

   He says he wants to buy the team, but is he serious?

4. (of a relationship) Committed.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:serious

Antonyms

• (important, weighty): trifling, unimportant
• (intending what is said): jesting

Derived terms

• srs (abbreviation)
• dead serious
• seriously
• seriousness
• serious-minded
• serious-mindedly
• serious-mindedness

Translations

Adverb

serious (not comparable)

1. (colloquial, dialect) In a serious manner; seriously.

Further reading

• serious in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• serious in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.