An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Sims

by Friedrich Kluge

Sims, m. and n., ‘cornice, shelf, mantelpiece,’ from the equiv. MidHG. simȥ, simeȥ, OHG. simiȥ (OHG. simiȥstein, ‘capitellum’); a corresponding *simito- is wanting in the other Teut. languages; its pre-historic existence is proved by its kinship with Lat. sîma, ‘ogee, moulding.’ To MidHG. simeȥ belongs the prop. collective gesimeȥe, ModHG. Gesims. The derivation from Fr. cymaise (Gr. κυμάτιον) is inconceivable.