An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Wind

by Friedrich Kluge

Wind, m., ‘wind,’ from the equiv. MidHG. wint (d), OHG. wint, m.; corresponding to Goth. winds, AS. and E. wind (to which window from OIc. windauga, lit. ‘wind eye,’ is allied), Du. and OSax. wind, ‘wind.’ The common Teut. windo-, from Aryan wē̆ntó-, is identical in form with the equiv. Lat. ventus, and Sans. vãta, m., ‘wind’ (comp. also Gr. ἀήτης?); they are derivatives of the present partic. wē̆-nt- of the root wê, ‘to blow’ (see wehen); for the form of the word comp. Zahn. While this word extends beyond Teut. the terms for the chief directions of the wind are peculiar to that group (see Nord, Ost, &c.).