An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kring

by Friedrich Kluge

Kring, m., ‘circular pad for the head,’ from MidHG. krinc(g), m., ‘circle, ring, district,’ with the MidG. variant kranc(g); LG. has a variant krink with final k, since in the whole of the corresponding class k and g at the end of the stem interchange (comp. frank). Scand. kring, kringum, adv., ‘round about,’ kringja, ‘to encircle,’ kringlóttr, adj., ‘round.’ — E. crank, MidE. cranke; E. to crankle, ‘to run in a winding course,’ crinkle, ‘wrinkle, bend.’ ModHG. Ring and its cognates differ etymologically from Kring. In the allied Aryan languages some connect Lith. gręziù, grężti, ‘to twist, turn,’ with the Aryan root grengh, authenticated by Kring. Gr. βρόχος, ‘noose, cord,’ is scarcely akin.