Germains

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Directly relevant to the matter under discussion, or closely and logically connected to it
2. Bearing a close and pertinent relation to the subject at hand, rather than being peripheral to it
3. Having a close, essential connection to a particular issue, question, or situation being considered

Etymology: "Germains" is the plural of "germain," an archaic adjective meaning closely related, and it survives mainly in the phrase "cousins germains," or first cousins. The word came into English from Old French "germain," which descends from Latin "germanus," meaning "full" or "of the same parents," as in a full brother or sister. That same Latin root gave English "german," used in "cousin-german" for a first cousin. "Germane," meaning relevant, is a doublet of "germain," the same word that entered English by a second route.