An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Öhr

by Friedrich Kluge

Öhr, neuter, ‘eye’ (of a needle), from Middle High German œre, œr, neuter, ‘ear-like opening, eye (of a needle), hole in a handle, handle,’ so too late Old High German ôri, neuter; a derivative of Old High German ôra, ‘ear’; compare further Öse. Moreover, Greek οὖς, English ear, and Dutch oor also signify ‘handle.’