drowse etymology

Etymology:

  • Old English drowsian
  • Proto-West Germanic *drausījan
  • Proto-Germanic *drausjaną
  • Indo-European root dreus-, meaning "to be sleepy, to fall asleep"

Meaning:

  • To feel or cause to feel sleepy or slightly unconscious
  • To be in a state of partial consciousness or light sleep

Origin:

The word "drowse" likely originated from the Indo-European root dreus-, which referred to the state of being sleepy or falling asleep. This root also gave rise to other words related to sleep and drowsiness, such as:

  • Greek drazein ("to sleep")
  • Latin dormire ("to sleep")
  • Old Norse draumr ("dream")
  • Sanskrit drāv ("to sleep")

In Old English, the verb drowsian originally meant "to become sleepy" or "to fall asleep." Over time, its meaning expanded to include the notion of being in a state of partial consciousness or light sleep. The word still retains these meanings in modern English usage.

drowse relate terms

  • drowsy

    Etymology Middle English drosi from Old English drūsian to be heavy or drowsy The

  • dreary

    Etymology The word dreary is derived from the Middle English word drey which means

  • doze

    Etymology The word doze comes from the Middle English word dosen which is thought to

  • doze

    Etymology The word doze comes from the Middle English word dosen which is thought to

  • slumber

    Etymology Middle English slumberen from Old English slumerian Germanic root slum

  • rest

    Etymology The word rest originates from the Old English word restan which means to

  • sleeping

    Etymology The word sleeping originates from the Old English word slæpan meaning to

  • ampersand

    Etymology The ampersand symbol amp is a ligature a combination of two or more lette

  • checkmate

    Etymology The word checkmate is derived from the Persian phrase shāh māt شاه م