An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Maß

by Friedrich Kluge

Maß, neuter, ‘measure, standard, proportion,’ from Middle High German mâȥ, neuter, ‘measure, manner’; usually in Middle High German mâȥe, feminine, ‘measure, definite extent of time, space, weight, strength; moderation, temperance,’ Old High German mâȥa, feminine; compare Dutch maat, Old Icelandic máte, masculine, ‘method.’ With the Teutonic root mē̆t (in messen), from pre-Teutonic mē̆d, Latin mŏdus, ‘manner,’ is also connected.