An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kampf

by Friedrich Kluge

Kampf, m., ‘combat,’ from MidHG. kampf, m. and n., ‘combat, duel, tilting’; OHG. champf, m., AS. camp, comp; OIc. kapp, n. The OIc. word is interesting, because it signifies lit. ‘zeal, emulation,’ which is the orig. meaning of Kampf (ModHG. Krieg has gone through a similar development of meaning). Hence there is no probability in the assumption that OTeut. *kampa- is derived from Lat. campus, thus connecting it with Campus Martius. This older assumption receives no support from phonetic laws, for kamp does not look unlike a Teut. word, while the meaning of the Scand. word makes it impossible. We should consider, too, whether the old Teutons, with their numerous terms relating to war, had any need of borrowing such a word. Some connect OTeut. kampo- with Sans. jañg, ‘to fight.’ HG. Kämpfer, and Kämpfe, Kämpe, prop. ‘combatant,’ is MidHG. kęmpfe, OHG. chęmphio, ‘wrestler, duellist’; AS. cęmpa, and OIc. kappe signify ‘warrior, hero’; this term, denoting the agent, passed into Rom. (comp. Fr. champion, whence also E. champion).