An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Stunde

by Friedrich Kluge

Stunde, f., ‘hour, time, league,’ from MidHG. stunde, OHG. stunta, f., ‘time, period of time’ (the ModHG. signification ‘hora’ first occurs in late MidHG., the primary meaning was ‘undefined period’). Corresponding to OSax. stunda, AS. stund, E. dial. stound, OIc. stund, ‘space of time’; Du. stond, ‘moment.’ The pre-historic connections of the word (perchance with Stand, gestanden; hence Stunde, ‘rest, repose’?) are uncertain.