An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Unusual or considerable in degree, power, intensity, number, etc.

Etymology (EN): O.E. great “big, coarse, stout,” from W.Gmc. *grautaz (cf. Du. groot, Ger. groß “great”).

Etymology (PE): Bozorg “great, large, immense, grand, magnificient;” Mid.Pers. vazurg “great, big, high, lofty;” O.Pers. vazarka- “great;” Av. vazra- “club, mace” (Mod.Pers. gorz “mace”); cf. Skt. vájra- “(Indra’s) thunderbolt,” vaja- “strength, speed;” L. vigere “be lively, thrive,” velox “fast, lively,” vegere “to enliven,” vigil “watchful, awake;”
P.Gmc. *waken (Du. waken; O.H.G. wahhen; Ger. wachen “to be awake;” E. wake); PIE base *weg- “to be strong, be lively.”