sneeze etymology

Etymology

  • Origin: Middle English snesen (14th century)
  • From: Old Norse snýsa ("to sneeze")
  • Cognates:
    • Dutch niezen
    • German niesen
    • Swedish nysta

Meaning

  • A sudden, involuntary expulsion of air through the nose and mouth, typically caused by irritation of the nasal passages.

Origin

The origin of the word "sneeze" is believed to be onomatopoeic, imitative of the sound made during a sneeze. The Old Norse verb "snýsa" was likely derived from an earlier Proto-Germanic form sniusjan, which is also the source of the Old English word "sneosan" and the modern English word "sneeze."

The sound of a sneeze is caused by the sudden release of pressurized air from the lungs through the nasal passages. This air is expelled as a result of a reflex action triggered by irritation of the nasal mucosa, often caused by foreign particles, allergens, or pathogens.

Sneezing is a natural defense mechanism that helps to clear the nasal passages and prevent infection. However, some people suffer from chronic sneezing, which can be a symptom of underlying allergies, asthma, or other medical conditions.

sneeze relate terms

  • neese

    Etymology Old High German nezzo nessi Proto Germanic natiz Proto Indo European ned

  • sneeze

    Etymology Origin Middle English snesen 14th century From Old Norse snýsa to sneez

  • sneezeweed

    Etymology The name sneezeweed originates from the plant s ability to cause sneezing whe

  • sneeze

    Etymology Origin Middle English snesen 14th century From Old Norse snýsa to sneez

  • weed

    Etymology Weed is derived from the Old English word weod which referred to any wild

  • snout

    Etymology The word snout is derived from the Middle English word snoute which in tu

  • mucus

    Etymology Latin mucus Ancient Greek myxa μύξα Meaning Mucus is a thick vis

  • expire

    Etymology From Latin expirāre to breathe out die frequentative of exspīrāre to

  • symptom

    Etymology Ancient Greek σύμπτωμα sýmptōma meaning incident concomitant

  • reflex

    Etymology Latin reflectere to bend back to cast back Proto Indo European leyp

  • salmon

    Etymology The English word salmon is derived from the Old French word saumon which i

  • avarice

    Etymology French avarice Medieval Latin avaritia Latin avēre to have or desire