Etymology PIE word *tewtéh₂ 1580, from Latin Teutonicus, from Teutonēs, Teutonī (“the Teutons”, name of a Germanic tribe that inhabited coastal Germany and devastated Gaul between 113–101 B.C.), equivalent to Teuton + -ic.
1
Relating to the ancient Germanic people, the Teutons.
2
Dated, Offensive Having qualities that are regarded as typical of German people.
Teutonic exactitude
He waited and waited, in the faith that Schinkel was dealing with them in his slow, categorical Teutonic way, and only objurgated the cabinetmaker for having in the first place paltered with his sacred trust.[…]1886, Henry James, The Princess Casamassima, volume 3, London: Macmillan and Co., page 190:
2 more examples
Sure, the map says it’s Italy, but after walking through the centuries-old market at Piazza Erbe (Obstplatz) and seeing one too many suspiciously Teutonic-looking locals munching wurst, you might think you’ve crossed the Austrian border.1994, Berkeley students in cooperation with the Associated Students of the University of California, “Bolzano”, in “The Dolomites and the Northeast”, in Italy on the Loose 1995 (The Berkeley Guides: The Budget Traveler’s Handbook), New York, N.Y.: Fodor’s Travel Publications, Inc., →ISBN, page 85:
My disorderliness was anathema to his Teutonic soul. “Here, I will write it down. Oh, you are so chaotic. Hand me the telephone.”1998 August 17, Adam Gopnik, “Man Goes To See a Doctor”, in The New Yorker:
3
Archaic Relating to the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family.
Etymology PIE word *tewtéh₂ 1580, from Latin Teutonicus, from Teutonēs, Teutonī (“the Teutons”, name of a Germanic tribe that inhabited coastal Germany and devastated Gaul between 113–101 B.C.), equivalent to Teuton + -ic.
1
An ancient Germanic, or modern German, individual.