An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Leim

by Friedrich Kluge

Leim, m., ‘glue, birdlime,’ from the equiv. MidHG., MidLG., and OHG. lîm, m.; corresponding to Du. lijm, AS. lîm, E. lime; Scand. lím, n., ‘glue, lime’; Goth. *leima is wanting. The common Teut. lîma- is related by gradation to the common Teut. laima-, mentioned under Lehm; the prim. meaning, ‘earthy, adhesive substance,’ is deduced from the E. and Scand. signification ‘glue, lime.’ Lat. lîmus, ‘slime,’ is more closely connected with HG. Lehm in meaning, but with HG. Leim in its graded form î. The root lai, by gradation lî, is authenticated by OIc. leir, n. (see Lehm), and Lat. li-no, ‘to rub over.’ Its relation to Gr. λειμών, ‘mars,’ and γλοιός, ‘sticky, clammy stuff,’ is less certain.