An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Lid

by Friedrich Kluge

Lid, in Augenlid, n., from MidHG., lit(t), n., ‘lid’ (espec. of a vessel), OHG. lit, earlier hlit, n.; corresponding to AS. hlid, n., ‘lid, door,’ E. lid; OIc. hliþ, n., ‘gate.’ ‘Eyelid’ in Ic. is augnalok, n., lit. ‘eye-lock’; in MidE. also eielid, E. eyelid (MidHG. ougelit), and hence the term, like Augapfel, is common both to G. and E. hlid, ‘lock-up, lid,’ is connected with an old verbal stem, OSax. and AS. hlîdan, ‘to cover, lock up.’