An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Rebe

by Friedrich Kluge

Rebe, f., ‘vine, vine-branch,’ from MidHG. rëbe, OHG. rëba, f., MidHG. rëbe, OHG. rëbo, m., ‘vine, tendril, creeper’ (comp. Gundelrebe); corresponding words are wanting in the other dials. OHG. has a remarkable form, hirnirëba, ‘skull,’ lit. perhaps ‘entwining the brain’; hence with this word is connected the common Teut. Rippe, as well as OSlov. rebro, ‘rib’ (see Rippe). The primary idea of all these terms, and of the Aryan root rebh, deduced from them, is ‘winding, entwining.’ —