Kanzler

Meaning

Noun

1. (Austria, Germany, abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, masculine, strong) chancellor (title of a head of government)
2. (abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, historical, masculine, strong) chancellor (title of a head of government)
3. (masculine, strong) chancellor (kind of secretary)
4. (masculine, strong) chancellor (kind of secretary)
5. (historical, masculine, strong) chancellor (kind of secretary)

Name

a surname

Concepts

chancellor

Chancellor

Prime Minister

PM

Premier

male chancellor

female chancellor

premier

prime minister

Synonyms

Bundeskanzler

Premierminister

Ministerpräsident

Kanzlerin

Bundeskanzlerin

britischer Finanzminister

Premierministerin

Schatzkanzler

Premier

Translations

chancelier

kanselier

canciller

cancelliere

chanceler

şansölye

canceller

cancellarius

chancelière

başbakan

πρωθυπουργός

zegelbewaarder

premier ministre

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈkan(t)sləʁ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle High German: kanzelære

Inherited from Old High German: canzilāri

Cognate with English: chancellor

In summary

From Middle High German kanzelære, from Old High German canzilāri (ca. 900), borrowed from Late Latin cancellārius, derived from Latin cancellus. By surface analysis, Kanzel + -er, but semantically pertaining more closely to Kanzlei (itself derived from the former). Compare English chancellor.
The use for a head of government developed in a monarchic context from that for a senior administrator. After WWI it was maintained in the newly created republics, particularly as the respective heads of state (Präsident) continued to have far-reaching competences. At least in Germany this is no longer the case, making the title somewhat abstract.