An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Raum

by Friedrich Kluge

Raum, m., from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. rûm (MidHG. rûn), m., ‘room, space’; corresponding to OSax., m., rûm, m., Du. reim, AS. rûm, m., E. room, Goth. rûm, n., OIc. rûm, n., ‘room, open space, bed, seat.’ The common Teut. subst. originated in the adj. rûma-, ‘spacious’; comp. Goth. rûms, MidHG. rûm and gerûm, ModHG. geraum, Du. ruim, AS. rûm, ‘spacious.’ The root is usually considered to be rû, and the class connected with Lat. rû-s (gen. rû-ris), ‘country,’ and Zend ravaṅh, ‘space, distance.’