An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Minne

by Friedrich Kluge

Minne, f., reintroduced in the latter half of the 18th cent. on the revival of OG. studies, from the equiv. MidHG. minne, f., ‘love,’ which became obsolete in the transition from MidHG. to ModHG.; OHG. minna, f., OSax. minna, minnia, f. ‘love,’ lit. and orig. ‘recollection, memory’; comp. OIc. minne, n., ‘remembrance, recollection, toast.’ E. mind, from AS. mynd, is also connected with the same root man, men; comp. Goth. muns, ‘meaning.’ These belong to the common Aryan and also Teut. root men, man, ‘to think’; comp. Gr. μένος, ‘temper, disposition,’ μιμνήσκω, ‘I remember,’ Lat. memini, reminiscor, mens, moneo, Sans. root man, ‘to opine, believe, think of, purpose’; comp. mahnen and Mann.