An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Wesen

by Friedrich Kluge

Wesen, n., ‘being, creature, nature, disposition, manners,’ from MidHG. wësen, n., ‘sojourn, domestic affairs, manner of living, quality, situation.’ An infinit. used as a subst.; MidHG. wësen, OHG. wësan (to which the ModHG. pret. forms of the vb. sein are allied), str. vb.; corresponding to Goth. wisan, ‘to be, tarry, stay’ (AS. wësan; E. was, belong to the sphere of grammar). The verbal rootves, ‘to be, abide,’ to which währen is allied, is found in non-Teut., in the Sans. root vas, ‘to stay, tarry, pass the night.’ — Allied to wesentlich adj., ‘essential,’ from the equiv. MidHG. wësentîch (wësenlîch); the t is excrescent.