Where does “Berggeist” come from?

Berggeist (German) comes from German geist, from Middle High German geist, from Old High German geist, from Proto-West Germanic gaist, from Proto-Germanic gaistaz, from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰeysd- — anger, agitation.

Berggeist (German): mountain spirit (generic term used for various mythical creatures found in mines or in the mountains)

Definitions

  1. mountain spirit (generic term used for various mythical creatures found in mines or in the mountains)

Ancestry of “Berggeist”, step by step

Berggeist traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via German geist

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Germangeistspirit
2Middle High Germangeist—
3Old High Germangeistspirit
4Proto-West Germanicgaistghost, spirit
5Proto-Germanicgaistazterror, fear; spirit, ghost; mind
6Proto-Indo-Europeanǵʰeysd-anger, agitation

via German berg

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Germanberga mountain, hill
2Middle High Germanbërca mountain
3Old High Germanbergmountain, hill
4Proto-West Germanicberghill, mountain
5Proto-Germanicbergazhill; mountain; refuge; shelter
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰerǵʰ-to rise; high, lofty; hill, mountain
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰeysd- →Every word from Proto-Germanic gaistaz →Every word from Proto-West Germanic gaist →
Berggeist — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer