An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Kamin

by Friedrich Kluge

Kamin, masculine, ‘chimney, fireplace, fireside,’ from Middle High German kámîn, kę́mîn; the Modern High German accentuation, which differs from the Middle High German, is due to the word being based anew on Latin camînus, while the latter is due to a German version of the foreign word. English chimney is French cheminée, ‘chimney, fireplace,’ which is phonetically cognate with Middle Latin caminata, properly ‘room with a stove or fireplace,’ and hence with Middle High German kęminâte (γυναικεῖον); allied also to Czech, Polish, and Russian komnata, ‘room.’