Kraft
/kræft/noun
Strength, force, or physical power; also used in English for strong brown paper made from wood pulp.
Did you know?English “kraft” is closely related to “craft,” because Old Germanic languages connected skillful making with strength, ability, and power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*kraftuz
“Strength, power, or ability”
Old Norse
Old Norse
kraptr
“Strength, might, or power”
Old English
Old English
cræft
“Skill, strength, ability, or workmanship”
Middle High German
Middle High German
kraft
“Strength, force, or power”
Modern German
German
Kraft
“Strength, force, energy, or power”
19th Century
English
kraft
“A German loanword referring especially to strong paper made by the sulfate process”
Explore more surprising origins