asleep etymology

Etymology

The word "asleep" comes from the Old English word "onslæpe," which is composed of two elements:

• on-: a prefix meaning "on" or "over"
• slæpan: a verb meaning "to drag" or "to slip"

Meaning and Origin

Originally, "onslæpe" referred to the state of being physically dragged or slipping into a position, such as lying down to sleep. Over time, the word came to be used specifically for the状態of being unconscious and unable to move, which is what we now know as sleep.

The idea of sleep as a state of being dragged or slipping away is reflected in other languages as well. For example, the German word for sleep, "Schlaf," is derived from the verb "schleifen," which means "to drag" or "to slide."

The phrase "fast asleep" is a later development, and it dates back to the 16th century. It originally meant to be deeply or soundly asleep, but it has since come to be used more generally to refer to any state of sleep.

asleep relate terms

• sleep

  Etymology Sleep comes from the Middle English word slēpen which is derived from the

• sleep

  Etymology Sleep comes from the Middle English word slēpen which is derived from the

• Somnus

  Etymology and Origin The word somnus originates from the Latin language It is derived

• cemetery

  Etymology and Origin The word cemetery originates from the Greek word koimeterion m

• aware

  Etymology The word aware is derived from the Middle English word awere which in turn

• accursed

  Etymology The word accursed comes from the Late Latin word accursus which means to ru

• allay

  Etymology The word allay comes from the Old English word alegian meaning to reliev

• affright

  Etymology Old French affraier Late Latin exfrigidare meaning to cool or frighten L

• awake

  Etymology Old English awacian from Proto Germanic awakōną from Proto Indo European

• sleepy

  Etymology The word sleepy comes from the Old English word slapig which means sluggi

• fall

  Etymology Middle English fallen Old English feallan Proto Germanic fallaną Meani

• dormant

  Etymology The word dormant comes from the Latin word dormire which means to sleep

• fast

  Etymology Fast derives from the Middle English word faste which means to refrain from

• tongue in cheek

• switch

  Etymology The word switch has multiple etymological origins Dutch zwitsen meanin

• peace

  Etymology Old English pǣċ treaty pact peace Proto Germanic fraþuz treaty pa