An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Giebel

by Friedrich Kluge

Giebel, m., ‘gable, summit,’ from the equiv. MidHG. gibel, OHG. gibil, m.; corresponding to Du. gevel, OIc. gafl, ‘gable,’ Goth. gibla, m., ‘spire.’ The OHG. word significs ‘front side’ (e.g., of the ark of the covenant), as well as ‘nap’ (of velvet, &c.), so that ‘extreme end’ is probably the prim. meaning. It may be assumed, however, that the word was used in a figurative sense, MidHG. gëbel, OHG. gëbal, m., ‘skull, head,’ OHG. gibilla, f., ‘skull’; primit. allied to Gr. κεφαλή, ‘head’ (Aryan ghebhalâ, the type of this word and of Giebel); hence Giebel is lit. ‘head.’

Giebel, Gieben, m., ‘crucian’; like the equiv. Fr. gibel, of obscure origin.