spent etymology

Etymology of "Spent"

The word "spent" originates from the Old English verb "spendan," which means "to distribute," "to give," or "to expend." It is derived from the Proto-Germanic root "spend-" (or "spand-"), which also means "to spend" or "to use up."

Meaning and Origin of "Spent"

The primary meaning of "spent" is "having been used up or expended, especially as a result of physical or mental exertion." It is often used to describe a person or thing that has lost its strength, vigor, or resources.

The word "spent" can also be used in the following contexts:

  • Spent force: A force that has been used up or expended.
  • Spent bullet: A bullet that has been fired and no longer has any momentum or penetrating power.
  • Spent fuel: Nuclear fuel that has been used up in a nuclear reactor.
  • Spent time: Time that has been used up or wasted.

In addition to its literal meaning, "spent" can also have figurative meanings, such as:

  • Spent emotion: Emotion that has been exhausted or depleted.
  • Spent hopes: Hopes that have been shattered or abandoned.
  • Spent life: A life that has been lived to the fullest and no longer has any purpose or meaning.

Examples of Usage

  • "The hikers were spent after their long trek through the mountains."
  • "The bullet was spent and embedded harmlessly in the tree trunk."
  • "The nuclear reactor uses up spent fuel, which must be disposed of safely."
  • "I spent my childhood exploring the woods behind our house."
  • "Her hopes were spent, and she had given up on ever finding true love."

spent relate terms

  • spend

    Etymology The word spend comes from the Middle English word spenden which in turn co

  • expend

    Etymology The word expend originates from the Latin verb expendere which means to w

  • dispense

    Etymology Dispense derives from the Late Latin word dispensare meaning to weigh out

  • spent

    Etymology of Spent The word spent originates from the Old English verb spendan whi

  • money pit

    Etymology The term money pit originated in the 19th century and is a combination of th

  • dish

    Etymology Middle English dich dysshe from Old French escuelle escuelle shallow bo

  • campaign

    Etymology The word campaign is derived from the Latin word campania which means o

  • lost

    Etymology The word lost is derived from the Old English word losian which means to

  • quality

    Etymology The word quality derives from the Latin word qualitas which means nature

  • while

    Etymology is the study of the origin and historical development of words It involves trac

  • verse

    Etymology The word verse comes from the Old French word vers which is derived from t

  • serve

    Etymology From Middle English serven from Old French servir from Latin servīre to

  • sever

    Etymology The word sever comes from the Latin word separare which means to separat