An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kelch
Kelch, m., ‘chalice, cup,’ from the equiv. MidHG. kęlch, OHG. chęlih, kęlih (hh), m.; corresponding to OSax. kęlik; from Lat. călicem (calix), borrowed at a time when the word was pronounced kalìkem (comp. Keller); the suggestion that Kelch was first adopted from Ecclesiast. Lat. on the introduction of Christianity, is refuted by the changes made in Lat. crucem, ‘Kreuz’ (‘cross’), which was certainly not borrowed before this time; the G. z for Lat. c before e points to a far later period than the derivation of Kelch from calicem. There is greater probability in the assumption that the term was imported with the southern culture of the vine; comp. Keller, Wein, and Becher. In E. and Scand. the Lat. a is retained; AS. calič, cœlič, and Scand. kalkr; comp. OIr. calich. In almost every language the word is restricted to ecclesiastical uses; comp. Fr. calice. —