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

  • IPA(key): /ˈmaɪ̯ʃə/
  • (file)

Noun edit

Maische f (genitive Maische, plural Maischen)

  1. mash (mixture of water and ground malt used in beermaking)
  2. crushed grapes or other fruits, used in wine or brandy-making

Declension edit