English
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein comes from German Liechtenstein.
- Germanc. 1650–presentLiechtenstein
- Englishearliest quotation 1812same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Germanc. 1650–presentLiechtenstein
- Englishearliest quotation 1812same form
Earliest quotation: 1812, Jedidiah Morse, GERMANY.: “The principality of Liechtenstein, containing the lordship of Vadutz…”
A compound of liecht + Stein ‘stone, rock’
Proto-Indo-European *lewk- ‘bright’
Proto-Indo-European *lewk-to-s
Proto-Germanic *leuhtaz ‘light, bright’
Proto-West Germanic *leuht ‘light, bright’
Old High German lioht
Middle High German liecht
German liecht
Proto-Indo-European *steyh₂- ‘to stiffen’
Proto-Indo-European *stóyh₂nos
Proto-Germanic *stainaz ‘stone’
Proto-West Germanic *stain ‘stone’
Old High German stein ‘stone’
Middle High German stein ‘stone’
German Stein ‘stone, rock’
The story
Borrowed from German Liechtenstein, from liecht, an obsolete variant of licht (‘light, bright’), + Stein (‘stone’), literally meaning “bright stone”. Named after the name of the ruling dynasty, which in turn derives its name from that of Liechtenstein Castle.
Every English word from German Liechtenstein
Today it means
name A microstate in Central Europe. Official name: Principality of Liechtenstein. Capital: Vaduz.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / German Liechtenstein / Liechtenstein