An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/gerecht

by Friedrich Kluge

gerecht, adj., ‘righteous, just, fit,’ from MidHG. gerëht, ‘straight, right, dexterous, skilful, fit, upright, innocent, just,’ OHG. girëht (grëht), ‘rectus, directus’ (not yer ‘justus’); corresponding to garaihts, ‘upright’; in AS. rihtwîs (OHG. rëhtwis), ‘justus.’ E. righteous. See recht.