An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Gnade

by Friedrich Kluge

Gnade, f., ‘grace, favour, mercy, pardon,’ from MidHG. gnâde, genâde, f., ‘bliss, rest, condescension, support, favour, mercy,’ OHG. ginâda, f., ‘condescension, sympathy, compassion, mercy’; corresponding to OSax. ginâtha, nâtha, ‘favour, help,’ Du. genade, OIc. náð, f. (in the plur.), ‘rest.’ The meanings ‘favour, help,’ &c., are attested by the Goth. vb. niþan, ‘to support.’ To the Teut. root nē̆́þ (from Aryan nē̆́th) some assign the prim. meaning ‘to incline, decline,’ in order to elucidate ‘rest’ (in Scand.; comp. MidHG. diu sunne gienc ze gnâden, ‘zur Ruhe,’ i.e. ‘the sun set’). Comp. the cognates, Sans. root nâth, ‘to beg,’ nâthá, ‘help, refuge.’