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An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Hahnrei

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An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language, H (1891)
by Friedrich Kluge, translated by John Francis Davis
Hahnrei
Friedrich Kluge2507257An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language, H — Hahnrei1891John Francis Davis

Hahnrei, m., ‘cuckold,’ ModHG. only; of obscure origin; in earlier G. it signifies ‘capon.’ Its figurative sense, ‘cuckold,’ derived from ‘capon,’ agrees with the expression Hörner tragen, lit. ‘to wear horns.’ Formerly the spur was frequently cut of and placed as a horn in the comb; the hoodwinked husband is thus compared to a capon. On account of the earlier variant Hahnreh, we may regard Hahnrei as a compound of Reh.