An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schar

by Friedrich Kluge

Schar (1.), see Pflugschar. Schar (2.), f., ‘host, troop, crowd,’ from MidHG. schar, f., ‘division of an army, drawn up detachment of soldiers, knot of four or more men, crowd, heap,’ OHG. skara, f., ‘host.’ The meaning is not connected with scheren. AS. sčęalu, sčęolu (E. shoal), ‘host,’ is abnormal. From Teut. is derived the Rom. word schiera, ‘host, troop, swarm.’ See Scherge.