Gefühl German · revision 35977

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1674|origins=gem-pro *fōljaną}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Germany: /ɡəˈfyːl/^(Wiktionary)

+ * /ɡeˈfyːl/^(Wiktionary)

+ * Austria, Southern-Germany, Switzerland: [ɡ̥e-]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''Gefühl''' ''n'' (genitive Gefühls or Gefühles, plural Gefühle)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|de|ge-|fühlen]] in the second half of the 17th century, probably on the model of the older [[Gehör]] and [[Gesicht]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Paul 2002)^(Wiktionary) The Grimms point out that the word is Central German, Low German and Dutch rather than Upper German in origin, and Wiktionary suggests it may copy [[nl|gevoel]], recorded somewhat earlier.^(DWB|5, 2167)^(Wiktionary) It replaced the older feminine [[m|de|Fühle]], [[gmh|vüele]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Paul 2002)

+

+ The verb is [[m|gmh|vüelen]], [[goh|fuolen]], from [[gmw-pro|*fōlijan|t=to feel]], also found in [[osx|gifōlian]], [[ang|fēlan]] and [[ofs|fēla]], and with another ablaut grade in [[non|falma|t=to grope]].^(Kluge 2011|322)^(Pfeifer 1993)^(EWA|3, 634) Its origin is uncertain.^(Pfeifer 1993) Kluge compares [[la|palpor|t=to stroke, flatter]], but finds these connections in need of clarification.^(Kluge 2011|322) Pfeifer mentions two proposals: a link with [[m|la|pollex|t=thumb]] and [[ru|палец|tr=palec|t=finger]], from a root [[ine-pro|*pōl-|t=swollen, thick]], so that the verb first meant “to touch with the thumb or finger”, or a link with [[m|la|palma|t=palm of the hand]] and [[grc|παλάμη|tr=palámē|t=palm]], which meets serious objections of sound and sense.^(Pfeifer 1993) The same verb is [[en|feel]].^(Kluge 2011|322)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The noun is first recorded in 1674.^(Paul 2002) It is still missing from early 17th-century dictionaries, but Krämer's German–Italian dictionary of 1678 gives it in full use, for the sense of touch and for feeling;^(DWB|5, 2167) Stieler (1691) mentions ''gefüle'' only in passing, and the Swiss Denzler (1716) does not have it.^(DWB|5, 2167) Formed like ''Gehör'', it first named the sense of touch.^(Paul 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From the sense of touch the word widened to any bodily sensation, as in [[Hungergefühl]] or ''Schwindelgefühl'', and was transferred to a sense or flair for something, as in [[Sprachgefühl]] and [[Fingerspitzengefühl]], and to a hunch.^(Paul 2002) In the 18th century it became a key term of philosophy, where Tetens (1777) saw feeling as a faculty of knowledge, and a catchword of the age of sensibility and of the Sturm und Drang.^(Paul 2002) ''Das höchste der Gefühle'' “the utmost one can hope for” goes back to the libretto of ''Die Zauberflöte'' (1791), and Schiller spoke of ''gemischte Gefühle''.^(Paul 2002) The adjective [[gefühllos]] (18th century) replaced the older ''fühllos''.^(Pfeifer 1993) In Upper German speech the verb itself is avoided: Bavarian and Austrian prefer ''empfinden'', Swabian and Alemannic ''spüren'' and ''merken''.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(EWA|3, 634) English took over ''Sprachgefühl'' in 1902.^(LWP)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1674 – First record of ''Gefühl''.^(Paul 2002)

+ * 1678 – Krämer's dictionary gives the word for the sense of touch and feeling.^(DWB|5, 2167)

+ * 1777 – Tetens treats feeling as a faculty of knowledge.^(Paul 2002)

+ * 1791 – ''Das höchste der Gefühle'' in ''Die Zauberflöte''.^(Paul 2002)

+ * 18th century – ''gefühllos'' replaces ''fühllos''.^(Pfeifer 1993)

+ * 1902 – ''Sprachgefühl'' is recorded in English.^(LWP)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A physical [[m|en|sensation]] carried by the nerves; the sense of touch: ''Nach dem Sturz hatte er kein Gefühl mehr im linken Fuß.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # An [[m|en|emotion]], a movement of the mind that colours one's attitude to the world: ''Ein warmes Gefühl der Zuneigung stieg in ihm auf.'' ''mit gemischten Gefühlen'', with mixed feelings.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A sense or [[m|en|instinct]] for something: ''Sie hat ein gutes Gefühl für Farben.''^(Wiktionary)^(Paul 2002)

+ # A [[m|en|hunch]], an impression not based on reasoning: ''Ich habe das Gefühl, dass heute noch etwas passiert.''^(Wiktionary DE)^(Paul 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[gefühllos]]

+ * [[gefühlvoll]]

+ * [[gefühlsbetont]]

+ * [[Gefühlsregung]]

+ * [[Sprachgefühl]]

+ * [[Fingerspitzengefühl]]

+ * [[Hochgefühl]]

+ * [[Vorgefühl]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[fühlen]]

+ * [[Fühler]]

+ * [[Fühlung]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}