An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Vermögen

by Friedrich Kluge

Vermögen, neuter, ‘ability, power, wealth,’ from Middle High German vermügen, neuter, ‘power, might, capability,’ An infinit. used as a substantive, Middle High German vermägen, vermugen, ‘to be in a position, have power,’ Old High German furimugan; allied to mögen, Macht. The preposition vermöge, ‘in virtue of’ (Modern High German only), is based on Middle High German vermüge, feminine, ‘might, power,’ and is developed like kraft.