An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Gier

by Friedrich Kluge

Gier, f., ‘eagerness, inordinate desire,’ from MidHG. gir (gër), f., ‘longing, craving, greediness,’ OHG. girî, f.; abstract of an adj., OHG. gër and giri, MidHG. gër, gir, ‘craving, longing,’ which is connected with the root ger (Aryan gher), discussed under gern. Another abstract form allied to this is ModHG. Gierde (-Begierde), from MidHG. girde, OHG. girida, f. (Du. begeerte). For the older adj. MidHG. gir, gër, only gierig is now used, from MidHG. girec, OHG. girîg, ‘desirous.’