An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Riß

by Friedrich Kluge

Riß, masculine, ‘cleft, gap, schism,’ from Middle High German riȥ, masculine, ‘cleft’; the corresponding Old High German riȥ, masculine, in contrast to the Middle High German and Modern High German which are connected with the verb reißen, preserves the earlier meaning ‘letter’ (Gothic writs, ‘stroke, point’), which connects it with Gothic wrîtan, ‘to write, draw’ (see reißen). Compare, moreover, Riß, in the earlier sense of ‘sketch.’