Werg

German

Etymology

From Middle High German werc, wer(i)ch, from Old High German werk, werah, from Proto-West Germanic *werk, from Proto-Germanic *werką (“rope”). For the Middle High German variation between -rc and -rch compare Storch. The spelling with -g is an attempt to reflect both pronunciations; compare Sarg (from Middle High German sarc, sar(i)ch). Moreover it serves to distinguish from Werk (“work”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /vɛʁk/, [vɛʁk], [vɛɐ̯k], [ʋ-] (standard)
• IPA^(key): /vɛʁç/ (northern and central Germany; now chiefly colloquial)

• Audio (Germany (Berlin)):

  (file)

• Hyphenation: Werg
• Rhymes: -ɛʁk
• Homophone: Werk (standard only)

Noun

Werg n (strong, genitive Werges or Wergs, no plural)

1. hards, tow, oakum (short, fallen-off fibres of flax or hemp)

   Synonym: (northern Germany) Hede

Declension

Declension of Werg [sg-only, neuter, strong]

	singular
	indef.	def.	noun
nominative	ein	das	Werg
genitive	eines	des	Werges, Wergs
dative	einem	dem	Werg, Werge1
accusative	ein	das	Werg

¹Now rare, see notes.

Further reading

• “Werg” in Duden online