An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Linde

by Friedrich Kluge

Linde, f., ‘linden, lime-tree,’ from the equiv. MidHG. linde, OHG. linta, f.; corresponding to Du. linde, AS. lind, f. E. lind, linden, linden-tree (E. lime-tree = ‘linden’ is obscure); OIc. lind, f., ‘lime-tree’; a common Teut. term for ‘linden,’ also, as an OTeut. warlike term, ‘shield,’ lit. ‘linden shield,’ Its earlier history is obscure; ModHG. dial. Lind, ‘bast,’ and Scand. linde, ‘girdle,’ derivatives of Linde, give no clue to the prim. meaning of the word. If we consider the change in meaning to which names of trees have been subject (see under Buche, Eiche, and Tanne), we might assume that Linde is related to Gr. ἐλάτη (from lentâ), ‘pine tree, white pine’; it can scarcely be connected with Lat. lentus, ‘flexible’ (comp. lind), as if the inner bark of the linden were used at an early period for cords.