High German

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A native or inhabitant of the southern highlands of Germany

   A native or inhabitant of the southern highlands of Germany; a High German speaker.

2. 2

   Any of a group of West Germanic languages or dialects spoken in the southern highlands of…

   Any of a group of West Germanic languages or dialects spoken in the southern highlands of Germany.

3. 3

   The standard variety of High German as spoken and written throughout the German language…

   The standard variety of High German as spoken and written throughout the German language area.

   • There is a widespread reluctance to speak High German in German-speaking Switzerland, and many Swiss prefer to speak even bad French or English to people who do not speak Swiss dialect.
   • We, the students, also were supposed to speak High German, but, like our teachers, we did so with a fairly strong Swabian accent.
4. ›+ 2 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      From or pertaining to the southern region of Germany

      From or pertaining to the southern region of Germany; speaking High German.

      • I used to harrangue the mob, in broken English, under pretence of being an High German doctor.
   2. 5

      Written or spoken in High German

      Written or spoken in High German; pertaining to High German.

      • Yiddish is a High German language [...]

The neighborhood