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An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Volk

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An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language, V (1891)
by Friedrich Kluge, translated by John Francis Davis
Volk
Friedrich Kluge2507834An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language, V — Volk1891John Francis Davis

Volk, n., ‘people, nation, soldiery, troops,’ from the equiv. MidHG. volc (k), OHG. folc, n. (rarely m.); corresponding to OSax. folk, Du. volk, AS. folc, E. folk; OIc. fólk, ‘people, troops, detachment.’ The latter seems to be the primary meaning, from which Lith. pulkas, ‘heap, crowd,’ and OSlov. plŭkŭ, ‘troops,’ are borrowed. The connection of the word with Lat. vulgus is uncertain, for it is very dubious whether the Lat. word and the Teut. cognates can be based on a primary form, qelgos, qolgos.