An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Glaube

by Friedrich Kluge

Glaube, m., ‘belief, credit, creed,’ from the equiv. MidHG. geloube (by syncope gloube), OHG. giloubo, m.; an abstract common to West Teut.; corresponding to OSax. gilôƀo, Du. geloof, AS. geleáfa (E. belief). With this glauben is connected earlier (in Luther) gleuben, from the equiv. MidHG. gelouben (glöuben), OHG. gilouben, gilouppen; comp. OSax. gilôbian, Du. gelooven, AS. gelŷfan, E. to believe, Goth. galaubjan, ‘to believe.’ The prim. meaning is ‘to approve.’ To the same root lub belong erlauben, lieb, loben, and Urlaub.