An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Gliedmaßen

by Friedrich Kluge

Gliedmaßen, plur., ‘limbs,’ from MidHG. lidemâȥ, gelidemœȥe, ‘limb’; corresponding to OFris. lithmâta, Du. lidmaat, ledemaat. The meaning of the second part of the compound is not clear (MidHG. gelidemâȥe, f., signifies ‘length of body’). Comp. OSwed. liþa-, mót, Ic. liðamǒt, ‘limbs.’