An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Maß

by Friedrich Kluge

Maß, n., ‘measure, standard, proportion,’ from MidHG. mâȥ, n., ‘measure, manner’; usually in MidHG. mâȥe, f., ‘measure, definite extent of time, space, weight, strength; moderation, temperance,’ OHG. mâȥa, f.; comp. Du. maat, OIc. máte, m., ‘method.’ With the Teut. root mē̆t (in messen), from pre-Teut. mē̆d, Lat. mŏdus, ‘manner,’ is also connected.