Germanity

/dʒɜrˈmænɪti/ noun

Definition

The quality of being German; the distinctive characteristics that make something German in nature or spirit.

Etymology

From German + -ity (from Latin -itas, meaning 'state or condition'). This abstract noun emerged to capture what makes something essentially or authentically German.

Kelly Says

The concept of 'germanity' was hotly debated in 19th-century philosophy—scholars couldn't agree whether it was about language, ethnicity, geography, or culture, reflecting tensions that still exist today.

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