Stein
/staɪn/noun
A large beer mug, especially one traditionally made of stoneware and often fitted with a hinged lid.
Did you know?In English, stein was popularized as a shortened form of German compounds such as Steinbierkrug, literally referring to a stoneware beer jug—not an occult term, but a striking example of material culture preserved in language.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*steyh₂-
“To become stiff or stand firm; the reconstructed root associated with stone and firmness.”
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*stainaz
“Stone; a hard piece of rock.”
Old High German
OHG
stein
“Stone or rock.”
Middle High German
MHG
stein
“Stone; also used in compounds for stoneware vessels.”
18th Century
German
Stein
“Stone; in compounds, a stoneware beer vessel.”
19th Century
English
stein
“A large German-style beer mug, commonly made of earthenware or stoneware.”