Maische
German edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Alteration of older Maisch, from Middle High German meisch (“mash”), from Old High German *meisk, from Proto-West Germanic *maisk, from Proto-Germanic *maiskaz, from Proto-Indo-European *moiḱ-sḱ-o/eh₂-, from *meyḱ- (“mix”). Cognate with English mash.
The spelling with -ai- is of Upper German origin. It is unusual insofar as modern ai-spellings in Germanic words are otherwise influenced by related words with -a- (e.g. Maid) or the desire to distinguish homophones (e.g. Laib). Perhaps due to the influence of southern German brewers and winemarkers.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
Maische f (genitive Maische, plural Maischen)
- mash (mixture of water and ground malt used in beermaking)
- crushed grapes or other fruits, used in wine or brandy-making