An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Kreide

by Friedrich Kluge

Kreide, feminine, ‘chalk,’ from the equivalent Middle High German krîde, late Old High German krîda, feminine; ultimate source Latin crêta, feminine, ‘Cretan earth’ The change from Latin ê to High German î cannot be explained by the Modern Greek pronunciation of Crete (compare Middle High German Krîde, Scandinavian Krít, ‘Crete’), since there are other instances in which Latin ê appears in High German loan-words,, as î; compare Feier, and especially Seide. Besides, the word crêta, ‘Cretan earth,’ is unknown to. Greek. The more precise history of the adoption of High German krîda is obscure (the corresponding words in Romance are Italian creta and French craie).