An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Wort

by Friedrich Kluge

Wort, n., ‘word, term, expression,’ from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. wort, m.; corresponding to Goth. waúrd, OSax., AS., and E. word, Du. woord. The common Teut. wordo, ‘word,’ based on Aryan wṛdho-, is equiv. to Lat. verbum (Lat. b for Aryan dh, as in Bart, rot), Pruss. wirds, ‘word,’ and Lith. vardas, ‘name.’ Wort has with lees reason been regarded as an old partic. wr-tó- (for the suffix comp. satt and traut), and derived from the root wer (wrê), appearing in Gr. ῥήτωρ, ‘orator,’ ῥήτρα, ‘saying,’ ἐρέω, ‘to ask,’ and with which OIr. breth, ‘sentence,’ based on Aryan wṛto-, is connected.