An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Zeichen

by Friedrich Kluge

Zeichen, n., ‘sign, mark, token, signal, symptom, indication,’ from the equiv. MidHG. zeichen, OHG. zeihhan, n.; corresponding to OSax. têkan, Du. teeken, AS. tâcn, E. token, and the equiv. Goth. taikns. A derivative of the Aryan root dī̆g, dī̆k, which appears also in zeihen and zeigen; this root with k is contained further in AS. tœ̂čęan, E. to teach (comp. the g of Lat. dignus, prodigium, and of Gr. δεῖγμα). — Der. zeichnen, vb., ‘to mark, draw, delineate,’ from MidHG. zeichenen, OHG. zeihhanen; lit. ‘to furnish with marks.’