An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Körper

by Friedrich Kluge

Körper, m., ‘body, substance, carcass,’ in the MidHG. period (13th cent.) korper, körpel, körper, m.; borrowed from Lat. corpus, or more accurately from the stem corpor-, a prim. cognate of which exists in OTeut. from the same source (Aryan kṛp), OHG. hrëf, AS. hrif, ‘womb.’ Leich (see Leichnam) is the OTeut. word for ModHG. Leib and Körper. “The sacrament of the Church and the elevation of the Host, and perhaps medical art, led to the naturalisation of the Lat. word.”