An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Sünde

by Friedrich Kluge

Sünde, f., ‘sin, offence,’ from the equiv. MidHG. sünde, OHG. suntu, suntea (base *sundî), f. Corresponding to OLG. sundia, Du. zonde; the equiv. AS. synn (E. sin) is based on the primary form *sunjô for *sundjô; OIc. synð also points to a Goth. *sunidi. Pre-Teut. swntiâ-, swenetiâ-, belong to a pre-Teut. root swen, sun, which, with a dental suffix, appear also in Gr. ἄτη, ‘guilt, damage,’ Lat. sons, ‘guilty,’ sonticus, ‘injurious.’