An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/blaß

by Friedrich Kluge

blaß, adj., ‘pale, faint (in colour),’ from MidHG. blas, ‘bald,’ figuratively ‘weak, trifling’; the earlier signification is ‘shining’ (comp. Glaze, from glänzen); allied to OHG. blas, ‘whitish.’ Hence by mutation Blässe, f., ‘a white spot on the forehead,’ OIc. bles (earlier Dan. blis), MidLG. blare (but blasenhengst, ‘horse with a blaze’), Du. blaar, ‘cow with a blaze.’ With the meaning ‘shining,’ AS. blase, E. blaze, MidHG. blas, n., ‘a torch,’ are connected.