lethargy English · revision 176
5 Oct 2026, 22:11 by bogdan “Add pronunciation, sense history, timeline, meanings, word family, related words” current version
Changes in this edit
@@ -1,6 +1,35 @@
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: /ˈlɛθ.ə(ɹ).d͡ʒi/; /ˈlɛθədʒɪ/, /lɪˈθɑːdʒɪk/ ''(UK)''; /ˈlɛθ ər dʒi/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)
+
==Etymology==
− Recorded from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline) From [[enm|litargie]],^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary) [[bor|la-med|litargia]],^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) [[der|la-lat|lēthargia]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD) [[der|grc|ληθαργία|tr=lēthargía|t=forgetfulness]],^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) [[der|grc|λήθαργος|tr=lḗthargos|t=forgetful]],^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) from ''lḗthē'' “forgetfulness” + ''argós'' “idle”.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)
+ From [[enm|litargie]],^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary) [[bor|la-med|litargia]],^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) [[der|la-lat|lēthargia]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD) [[der|grc|ληθαργία|tr=lēthargía|t=forgetfulness]],^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) [[der|grc|λήθαργος|tr=lḗthargos|t=forgetful]],^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) from ''lḗthē'' “forgetfulness” + ''argós'' “idle”,^(AHD)^(Etymonline) apparently “inactive through forgetfulness”.^(Etymonline)
− The form with ''-th-'' dates from the 1590s.^(Etymonline) Compare [[Lethe]].^(Etymonline)
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ In medicine, a disorder of morbid drowsiness or prolonged unnatural sleep (late 14th century).^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ From c. 1380 the word also meant a general state of torpor, inertness, or apathy.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The form with ''-th-'', after Greek, dates from the 1590s, replacing Middle English ''litargie'', which came through Medieval Latin.^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) Medieval Latin ''litargia'' is also the source of Old French ''litargie'' and of Spanish and Italian ''letargia''.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 1374 – “morbid drowsiness”, in medicine.^(OED 1989)
+ * c. 1380 – “torpor, apathy”.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1590s – spelling with ''-th-''.^(Etymonline)
+ * 1605 – verb, “to affect with lethargy”.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Noun===
+ # A state of sluggishness, inactivity, and apathy.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+ # ''(medicine)'' Abnormal drowsiness, or a state resembling deep sleep.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[lethargize]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[encephalitis lethargica]]
+ * [[lethargic]]
+ * [[Lethe]]
+
+ ==Usage notes==
+ ''Lethargy'' is sluggish inactivity, often caused by illness, fatigue, or overwork;^(AHD) ''lassitude'' implies weariness from strain;^(AHD) ''torpor'' suggests suspended activity, as in hibernation;^(AHD) ''stupor'' is a dazed state from sleepiness, illness, or drugs;^(AHD) and ''languor'' is the lack of energy typical of a life of luxury.^(AHD)
==References==