An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Leich

by Friedrich Kluge

Leich, m., ‘lay,’ a term borrowed anew from MidHG. leich, m., ‘song consisting of unequal strophes,’ orig. in a general sense ‘instrumental melody’ (whence OFr. lai was borrowed). It corresponds to Goth. laiks, ‘dance,’ from laikan, ‘to dance,’ AS. lâc, n., ‘play, tilting,’ from lâcan, ‘to leap, dance.’ Since ModHG. Leich is only a loanword, no further remarks are necessary concerning the specifically OTeut. root laik and its wide ramifications.