alemanni: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic/Historical
Quick answer
What does “alemanni” mean?
A confederation of Germanic tribes who settled in the upper Rhine region during the late Roman Empire and early Middle Ages.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A confederation of Germanic tribes who settled in the upper Rhine region during the late Roman Empire and early Middle Ages.
In historical contexts, the term refers to the people who gave their name to the region of Alemannia and to the modern words for Germany in several languages (e.g., Allemagne, Alemania).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use it as a historical term.
Connotations
Neutral historical term.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, confined to specialist texts.
Grammar
How to Use “alemanni” in a Sentence
[the] Alemanni + [verb of action/movement]the + Alemanni + [noun denoting territory/structure]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alemanni” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Alemannic law
- Alemannic dialect
American English
- Alemannic artifacts
- Alemannic territory
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical studies, archaeology, and linguistics to discuss late antiquity and the migration period.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used as a specific ethnonym in historical texts and discussions of Germanic philology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alemanni”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alemanni”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alemanni”
- Spelling: 'Alemanni' not 'Alamani' or 'Allemanni'.
- Using it as a general term for modern Germans.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Alemanni were one specific group of Germanic tribes. Modern Germans are descended from a mixture of many different Germanic groups, including but not limited to the Alemanni.
The French word for Germany, 'Allemagne', is derived from the name of the Alemanni tribes, whom the Franks encountered and fought against.
No, it is almost exclusively used as a proper noun (the Alemanni). The related adjective is 'Alemannic'.
You will only encounter it in specialised historical texts, academic papers on late antiquity, or discussions of the etymology of European country names.
A confederation of Germanic tribes who settled in the upper Rhine region during the late Roman Empire and early Middle Ages.
Alemanni is usually academic/historical in register.
Alemanni: in British English it is pronounced /ˌalɪˈmani/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæləˈmɑːni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'ALE' (as in beer) + 'MANNI' (like 'many men'). Picture many men from Germanic tribes sharing ale.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Proper noun for a historical entity).
Practice
Quiz
The Alemanni are most closely associated with which historical period?