Gischt

German

Etymology

From Middle High German jest, gest (“foam”), from Old High German *jest, *gest, from Proto-Germanic *jestuz (“fermentation; fermentative matter”). The form Gischt (instead of expected *Gest, *Jest) is probably onomatopoeic, though it could alternatively be of Alemannic origin. Cognate with Dutch gist, English yeast.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɡɪʃt/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

Gischt f (genitive Gischt, plural Gischten)

Gischt m (genitive Gischtes or Gischts, plural Gischte)

1. The frothy foam on sea waves.
2. (dated) Other kinds of foam or froth that form on liquids, such as on beer or boiling water.

Usage notes

• The word is now almost exclusively feminine.

Synonyms

• Schaum

Further reading

• “Gischt” in Duden online