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There are lots of nouns ending in ∙mut

Schwermut, Wehmut, Langmut, Grossmut etc.

and lots of adjectives ending in ∙mütig

gutmütig, kleinmütig, wankelmütig, freimütig, reumütig.

So far as I can tell, every adjective constructed this way has an umlaut in ∙mütig except missmutig.

Why?

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    searching in DWDS for "*mutig" yields some more words, anmutig, edelmutig, kampfesmutig, missmutig, todesmutig, wagemutig, see here (I have no access to a rückläufiges Wörterbuch).
    – vectory
    Aug 27, 2019 at 5:00

1 Answer 1

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The German word Mut has the meaning courage, boldness, bravery:

Er bewies Mut und nahm die Herausforderung an.
He showed courage and accepted the challenge.

But it also can mean mood:

Frohen Mutes machte er sich auf die Reise.
He embarked on the journey in a happy mood.

You find the second meaning even more often in compound nouns:

  • Sanftmut = meekness
  • Schwermut = gloom
  • Edelmut = generosity

Adjectives, that are derived from words of this second meaning end in »∙mütig«:

sanftmütig, schwermütig, edelmütig, gutmütig, demütig, wehmütig

Adjectives, that are derived from the courage-meaning end in »∙mutig«:

mutig, wagemutig, todesmutig, kampfesmutig

But there are also two exceptions:

  • Anmut = grace, charm; anmutig = graceful, charming
  • Missmut = displeasure; missmutig = morose, grumpy

(anmütig and missmütig do not exist)

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    You might want to mention "Mut" and "Gemüt" in your answer.
    – tofro
    Aug 27, 2019 at 6:51
  • I think op knows it's an exception and asks why there is one. Also please note that anmütig & missmütig where used (as well) up until 16th to 18th century.
    – mtwde
    Aug 27, 2019 at 7:24
  • Yes, as @mtwde said this answer more or less restates the question. I'm aware that there is an exception (or two exceptions) but I'm wondering if anyone knows what explains the variance.
    – kokirii
    Aug 27, 2019 at 17:39

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