germane
Definitions
Closely relevant and appropriate to the matter under discussion
切题的，相关的，中肯的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedA doublet of german ('having the same parents,' as in cousin-german). Both come from Latin germanus = 'of the same stock, akin' (related to gen- 'born'). Things that are germane to a topic are 'akin' to it — they belong to the same family of ideas, so they are relevant.
Root gen still carries 140 more wordsWhy It Means This
Germane literally means 'related by blood.' Shakespeare used it that way; today it survives only in the figurative sense of ideas that are 'kin' to the topic. Note it is almost always used with 'to': germane to the discussion. Not germane = beside the point.
Usage Guide
Almost always 'germane to (something).' Formal register — common in legal, academic and debate contexts. Stress on the second syllable: jer-MANE.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Your point is interesting but not germane to this debate.
- 2.
The judge ruled the evidence was germane to the case.
- 3.
Let's keep the discussion germane to the agenda.
Easily Confused
germane vs relevant — near-synonyms, but germane is more formal and stresses being closely, naturally connected to the topic (germane to the case). relevant is the everyday word and slightly broader. If in doubt in casual writing, use relevant.