An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Schmach

by Friedrich Kluge

Schmach, feminine, ‘outrage, ignominy,’ from Middle High German (rare) smâch, smâhe, usually smœhe, feminine, ‘insult, abuse, ignominy’ (to which Italian smacco, ‘affront,’ is allied?). An abstract from Middle High German smœhe, adjective, ‘little, trifling, contemptible’; compare Old High German smâhi, adjective, ‘little, trifling, base,,’ smâhi, feminine, ‘trifle, baseness’; also Old Icelandic smár, ‘little,’ and, with a different development of meaning, Anglo-Saxon smeálîc, ‘fine, careful.’ A similar variety of meanings is seen in the history of Modern High German klein, for which we must assumne (as for Old High German smâki) the primary meaning of ‘little, pretty.’ If Greek μικρός, σμικρός, represents σμεκρός, Old High German smâhi (as if corresponding to *σμήκιος) may be connected with it. The earlier sense still appears faintly in schmachten and verschmachten; compare Middle High German versmahten (ă or â?), ‘to pine away,’ Old High German gismahteôn, ‘to disappear.’ Allied to schmächtig, adjective, ‘pining, languishing,’ from Middle High German (Middle German) smahtec, from Middle High German (Middle German) smaht, ‘pining away’; if these latter cognates contain ă, they may be connected with Modern High German smëcker, ‘slender, narrow, pining.’ See schmähen.