An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Riß

by Friedrich Kluge

Riß, m., ‘cleft, gap, schism,’ from MidHG. riȥ, m., ‘cleft’; the corresponding OHG. riȥ, m., in contrast to the MidHG. and ModHG. which are connected with the vb. reißen, preserves the earlier meaning ‘letter’ (Goth. writs, ‘stroke, point’), which connects it with Goth. wrîtan, ‘to write, draw’ (see reißen). Comp., moreover, Riß, in the earlier sense of ‘sketch.’