From Middle English dismayen, from Anglo-Norman *desmaiier, alteration of Old French esmaier ("to frighten"), probably from Vulgar Latin *exmagare ("to deprive (someone) of strength, to disable"), from ex- + *magare, from Proto-Germanic *maginą, *maganą, from Proto-Indo-European *megʰ- ("to be able"). Akin to Old High German magan, megin ("power, might, main"), Old English mæġen ("might, main"), Old High German magan, mugan, Old English magan ("to be able"). Cognate with Portuguese desmaiar ("to faint"). See also Portuguese esmagar, Spanish amagar. More at main, may.
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