germane
UK[dʒɜːˈmeɪn]US[dʒɜːrˈmeɪn]
adj
relevant and appropriate to the subject or situation
Etymology
the word 'germane' entered english in the late middle english period, directly from the latin adjective 'germanus', which meant "having the same parents, genuine, or true." this latin term is itself derived from 'germen', meaning "sprout, bud, offspring," a word of proto-indo-european origin related to growth and generation. the semantic evolution from "closely related" to "relevant and appropriate" is logical; something that is germane is intellectually or contextually "akin" to the matter at hand, sharing a close and fitting connection. this shift from a literal familial bond to a metaphorical pertinence illustrates a classic path of semantic specialization in english vocabulary.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form. it is a loanword from latin 'germanus' meaning "of the same parents, genuine, true, real." its functional role is as a whole adjective.
Examples
the judge ruled that the evidence was not germane to the case and ordered it stricken from the record.
she made a few germane points during the discussion that helped clarify the core issue.
please keep your comments germane to the topic of the meeting.