Germane, a.
Etymology: [See German akin, nearly related.]
Literally, near akin; hence, closely allied; appropriate or fitting; relevant. The phrase would be more germane to the matter. Shak. [An amendment] must be germane. Barclay (Digest).
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists germane only as an antonym, under alien.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given