An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Rahmen

by Friedrich Kluge

Rahmen, masculine, ‘frame, border,’ from Middle High German ram, rame, masculine and feminine, ‘prop. framework, frame for embroidery or weaving,’ Old High German rama, ‘pillar, prop’; compare Dutch roum, ‘frame.’ Allied probably to Gothic hramjan, ‘to crucify,’ literally ‘to fasten to a pillar or prop’(?) which may, however, be cognate with Greek κρεμάννυμι. Rahmen, properly ‘setting,’ is usually connected with Old Slovenian kroma, feminine, ‘border.’