Anschluss
/ˈɑːnʃlʊs/noun
A political union or annexation, especially Nazi Germany’s incorporation of Austria in 1938.
Did you know?The word itself predates Nazism and simply meant “connection” or “union,” allowing Nazi propaganda to present annexation as a natural joining rather than a conquest.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*en
“In, at, or on; the ancient source of German an- and English in.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*slūtaną
“To close or shut; the ancestral root behind German schließen and English shut.”
Old High German
OHG
ansliozan
“To join, connect, or close onto; formed with an-, meaning “to” or “onto.””
Middle High German
MHG
anschließen
“To attach, connect, or join.”
Modern German
German
Anschluss
“Connection, joining, or political union; later also used for annexation.”
1938
German
Anschluss
“The Nazi incorporation of Austria into Germany, presented officially as a union rather than an invasion.”
Modern English
English
Anschluss
“A loanword referring especially to Germany’s annexation of Austria in 1938.”