skilsmässa

Etymology

From Old Swedish skilsmæssa, arguably equivalent to skilja +‎ -s- +‎ mässa. The exact origin of the latter compound term is disputed. Either from the word mässa (“[Christian] mass”) or from missa (“to miss; to lose”). Compare Norwegian skilsmisse and Danish skilsmisse.

Pronunciation

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

skilsmässa c

1. a divorce

References

• skilsmässa in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)
• skilsmässa in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• skilsmässa in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)
• skilja in Elof Hellquist, Svensk etymologisk ordbok (1st ed., 1922)