An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Wahrzeichen

by Friedrich Kluge

Wahrzeichen, n., ‘mark, token, omen, signal,’ from MidHG. warzeichen, n., ‘token, mark,’ for which the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. wortzeichen (OSax. wordtêkan), n., is ordinarily used. The word has been corrupted; its primit. form and meaning are obscure. Comp. also the cognate, OIc. jartein, ‘token of recognition.’