  The magnetism in the inherently nanolaminated ternary MAX-phase Cr$_{2}$GeC
is investigated by element-selective, polarization and temperature-dependent,
soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism. The
measurements indicate an antiferro-magnetic Cr-Cr coupling along the $c$-axis
of the hexagonal structure modulated by a ferromagnetic ordering in the
nanolaminated $ab$-basal planes. The weak chromium magnetic moments are an
order of magnitude stronger in the nanolaminated planes than along the vertical
axis. Theoretically, a small but notable, non-spin-collinear component explains
the existence of a non-perfect spin compensation along the $c$-axis. As shown
in this work, this spin distortion generates an overall residual spin moment
inside the unit cell resembling that of a ferri-magnet. Due to the different
competing magnetic interactions, electron correlations and temperature effects
both need to be considered to achieve a correct theoretical description of the
Cr$_{2}$GeC magnetic properties.
