An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Bifang

by Friedrich Kluge

Bifang, m., ‘enclosure, ridge,’ from MidHG. bívanc, m., ‘circuit, ridge between furrows,’ OHG. bífang, ‘circuit,’ from bifãhan, ‘comprise, encircle.’ With respect to the accented verbal prefix in the subst. compound, comp. bei, where ‘around’ is also quoted as one of the OTeut. meanings of bi. Bifang (in opposition to Beispiel, bîspel) retains, like bieder, the old short verbal prefix; comp. bieder, Bild, Beunde.