Eisen
/ˈaɪ̯zn̩/noun
The German word for iron, also used in English mainly in German names, surnames, and specialized compounds.
Did you know?Eisen is related to English “iron,” although the exact prehistoric source of the Germanic metal word remains debated; some scholars connect it to an ancient Celtic borrowing.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁ésh₂r̥
“A reconstructed word associated with copper or metal; the connection to Germanic is debated.”
Proto-Celtic
Celtic
*īsarno-
“A reconstructed Celtic term for iron, often proposed as the source of the Germanic word.”
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*īsarną
“Iron; a metal term possibly borrowed from Celtic.”
8th Century
Old High German
īsarn
“Iron.”
Middle High German
Middle High German
īsen
“Iron; the form developed through regular sound and spelling changes.”
Modern German
German
Eisen
“Iron; also used in personal names and compounds.”