An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Geld

by Friedrich Kluge

Geld, n., ‘money, coin, cash,’ from MidHG. and OHG. gëlt (t; the d first occurs in ModHG.), n., m., ‘recompense, compensation, revenue, income, paying, payment, money,’ Du. geld, ‘money.’ ‘Means for paying, coin,’ is the latest sense of the words quoted (comp. Goth. gild, ‘tax, interest’); it is wanting in the corresponding words of the other dialects; in Goth. the term is faihu (see Vieh), and skatts (see Schatz), AS. feoh, E. money. On the other hand, AS. gild signifies ‘recompense, compensation, sacrifice.’ See gelten.