Alemannus

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A member of the ancient Germanic tribe that inhabited the region of present-day southwestern Germany and was known for its confederation of tribes
2. An individual belonging to a historical group known for its influence in the early medieval period and interactions with the Roman Empire
3. A person associated with the Alemanni, a people significant in the context of Germanic history and culture during the migration period

Etymology: Roman writers called this people the Alamanni, and "Alemannus" is the Latin singular for one member of that group. The name is Germanic, and a popular explanation makes it mean "all men," a label for a confederation of many peoples. That explanation is often repeated, but it remains a debated guess rather than a settled etymology. The Alamanni were a loose alliance of Germanic groups who settled along the upper Rhine and the lands east of it. They fought Rome repeatedly, raiding across the frontier and clashing with emperors, yet they also traded with the empire and served in its forces. They were eventually absorbed into the Frankish kingdoms, but their name lived on. In French, "allemand" means German, and the dialects of southwestern Germany are still called Alemannic.

Synonyms: Alemannic person, Germanic tribesman, Swabian, Alsatian, Baden native