Dictionary

Germanish en · ADJ

Etymology

From German + -ish. Compare Dutch Germaans (“Germanic”), German germanisch (“Germanic”), Swedish germansk (“Germanic”).

Meanings

1. Germanic.
   • The new Italian Roman Empire and the new germanish-German Reich are actually the oldest of presences. 2004, Eugene Davidson, The Unmaking of Adolf Hitler:
   • [...] till at last it wrote in a Germanish hand, with the m's and the r's and the l's all exactly alike, [...] 1934, Clemence Dane, The Babyons: the chronicle of a family:
2. German.
   • "What's dis about Peggy readin Germanish books? Sure she can't understand the Germanish language," he said in an irreverent, mocking tone. 1992, Michael Collins, The man who dreamt of lobsters:
3. Of, like, or resembling anything German; German-like; somewhat German.
   • […] at everyone in uniform, and stole anything Germanish that they could pry loose. 2010, Laura Hillenbrand, Unbroken:
   • The sharp-nosed round-cheeked dead-eyed nurse with a weird Germanish accent that would sell Gately little sampler bottles […] 1996, David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest […], Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y.: Little, Brown and Company, →ISBN:
   • He had a grand stage presence, a voice noble in quality and in volume, a fine dramatic style of singing, with tragic power, and humor, too, although these were rather Germanish; […] 1882, The century illustrated monthly magazine:

Forms