An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Luft

by Friedrich Kluge

Luft, f. (UpG. masc.), ‘air, breeze,’ from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. luft, m. and f.; a common Teut. term; comp. Goth. luftus, OIc. lopt, AS. lyft (E. lift, dial. only), OSax. luft, Du. lucht, ‘air’. Whether OIc. lopt, ‘loft’ (comp. Laube), is a derivative of the same word remains dubious; nor is it of any help in determining the primit. sense of the specifically Teut. luftu-, especially as indubitable cognates in the non-Teut. languages are wanting.