schmelzen

Meaning

  1. (class-3, intransitive, strong) to melt; to liquefy
  2. (class-3, figuratively, intransitive, strong) to dwindle; to melt away
  3. (class-3, strong, transitive) to melt; to liquefy

Frequency

C2
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈʃmɛltsn̩/
Etymology

In summary

From Middle High German smelzen, from Old High German smelzan, from Proto-West Germanic *smeltan. Akin to Old Saxon smeltan. Cognate with English smelt, Danish smelte, Dutch smelten, German Low German smölten. Through the meaning of soften: compare Old Church Slavonic младъ (mladŭ) (whence младость (mladostĭ, “softness”)), Latin mollis (“soft”).

Notes

Sign in to write sticky notes