Where does “Østrig” come from?
Østrig (Danish) comes from German Österreich, from Middle High German Osteriche, from Old High German Ostarrîchi, from Old High German rīhhi, from Proto-West Germanic rīkī, from Proto-Germanic rīkijaz, from Proto-Germanic rīks, from Proto-Celtic rīxs — to straighten, to right oneself; right; just.
Ancestry of “Østrig”, step by step
Østrig traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.
via German Österreich
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | German | Österreich | Austria; eastern empire |
| 2 | Middle High German | Osteriche | — |
| 3 | Old High German | Ostarrîchi | — |
| 4 | Old High German | rīhhi | rich, mighty; power, might, empire; realm |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | rīkī | mighty, powerful; rich; kingdom, realm |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | rīkijaz | kingly, royal, noble; mighty, powerful; rich |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | rīks | king, ruler |
| 8 | Proto-Celtic | rīxs | king |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃rḗǵs | king, ruler |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃reǵ- | to straighten, to right oneself; right; just |