The German name of Austria, Österreich, derives from the Old High German word Ostarrîchi, which is recorded in the Ostarrîchi Document of 996. This word is thought to be a translation of Latin Marchia Orientalis (eastern borderland) into a local dialect. This was a march, or borderland, of the Duchy of Bavaria created in 976. Reich also means "realm" or "empire". Ostmark, a translation of Marchia Orientalis into standard German, was used officially when the country was annexed by Nazi Germany.
The name "Austria" is a Latinization of Österreich, which was first recorded in the 12th century. This has led to much confusion as German Ost is "east", but Latin auster is "south".
Read more about Name Of Austria: Latin and English, Other Languages
Famous quotes containing the word austria:
“All the terrors of the French Republic, which held Austria in awe, were unable to command her diplomacy. But Napoleon sent to Vienna M. de Narbonne, one of the old noblesse, with the morals, manners, and name of that interest, saying, that it was indispensable to send to the old aristocracy of Europe men of the same connection, which, in fact, constitutes a sort of free- masonry. M. de Narbonne, in less than a fortnight, penetrated all the secrets of the imperial cabinet.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)