An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Hals

by Friedrich Kluge

Hals, m., ‘neck,’ from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. hals, m.; corresponding to OSax. and Du. hals, AS. heals (E. to halse, ‘embrace,’ but now antiquated; the modern word is neck), OIc. hals, m., ‘neck,’ Goth. hals (gen. halsis), m.; all point to a common Teut. mas., halsa-. Primit. allied to Lat. collum for *colsum, n., ‘neck’ (OLat. also collus, m.); comp. also Gr. κλοιός, ‘collar’ (from *κλοσιός)?. Whether Lat. excello, excelsus, are also primit. allied (Hals, lit. ‘prominent part of the body’) remains uncertain. From Teut. is derived Fr. haubert, OFr. halberc, ‘hauberk,’ from hals-bërg(a). —