An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schatten

by Friedrich Kluge

Schatten, m., ‘shade, shadow,’ from the equiv. MidHG. schate, m. (rarely f.), OHG. scato (gen. -awes), m.; corresponding to Goth. skadus, AS. sčeadu, E. shade, shadow, Du. schaduw, OSax. skado, ‘shadow.’ Perhaps Gr. σκότος, ‘darkness,’ is allied; OIr. scáth, scáil, ‘shadow,’ are, however, more closely akin. For another OTeut. word for ‘shadow,’ see under schauen.