Schlesien

German

Etymology

Uncertain

• Possibly related to the Germanic Silingi tribe, whose name derives from Ancient Greek Σιλίγγαι (Silíngai), itself possibly from Silesian for "swampy place."
• Or, from Old Polish ślęg, śląg, themselves cognate with the same Silesian source and meaning "dampness, humidity, moisture." More at Ślęża and Silesia.

The name occurs at least since the 16th century, where it's also Slesien, from Slesien (15th century), earlier Slezien (13th century).

In the 16th century, the name of this region also occurs as Schlesy f as in Sebastian Münster's Cosmographia (which has Presla and later Preßla for the capital Breslau) and as Schlesi f, this from Slesy f, Slesi f (15th century).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʃleːzi̯ən/

• Audio:

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Proper noun

Schlesien n (proper noun, genitive Schlesiens or (optionally with an article) Schlesien, plural (uncommon) Schlesien)

1. Silesia (a region of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic)

   Synonyms: Slesien; Schlesie f, Schlesy f, Schlesi f; Schlesierland, Schlesier Land, Schlesier land; (uncommon) Silesien

Derived terms

• Niederschlesien
• Neuschlesien
• Oberschlesien, Ober-Schlesien
• Österreichisch-Schlesien (Oesterreichisch-Schlesien, Oesterreichisch Schlesien, österreichisch Schlesien)
• Preußisch-Schlesien (preußisch Schlesien)

Related terms

• Schlesier
• schlesisch
  • Schlesisch
• Ober-Schlesie