An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/gerecht
gerecht, adjective, ‘righteous, just, fit,’ from Middle High German gerëht, ‘straight, right, dexterous, skilful, fit, upright, innocent, just,’ Old High German girëht (grëht), ‘rectus, directus’ (not yer ‘justus’); corresponding to garaihts, ‘upright’; in Anglo-Saxon rihtwîs (Old High German rëhtwis), ‘justus.’ English righteous. See recht.