Vormund

German

Etymology

From Middle High German vormunde, from Old High German foramunto, a compound of fora (“before, in front of”, whence German vor) + munt (“hand; protection; guardianship”). In contemporary understanding typically reanalyzed as vor +‎ Mund (“mouth”, unrelated with the former word), thus “who speaks in someone’s stead” (or “who speaks before someone can speak for themself”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfoːɐ̯ˌmʊnt/, /ˈfɔɐ̯ˌmʊnt/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

Vormund m (genitive Vormunds or Vormundes, plural Vormunde or Vormünder)

1. legal guardian

Derived terms

• Vormundschaft

Related terms

• mündig