anxiety
UK: aŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti | US: æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti
n. a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome
n. (psychiatry) a mental disorder characterized by excessive apprehension or fear
n. earnest desire or eagerness (archaic)
anxiety = anx<distress> + iety<noun suffix>
- anx (from Latin anxius, meaning "distressed" or "troubled")
- iety (noun-forming suffix, derived from Latin -ietas, indicating a state or condition)
Etymology Origin:
The word "anxiety" traces back to the Latin anxietas, which stems from anxius ("distressed"). The root ang- (seen in angere, "to choke" or "cause pain") reflects the physical sensation of tightness or suffocation associated with distress. Over time, the term evolved in Middle English (via Old French anxieté) to emphasize psychological unease rather than physical discomfort. The suffix -iety systematically converts the adjectival root into a noun denoting a persistent state.
Her anxiety about the exam kept her awake all night.
Chronic anxiety can interfere with daily life.
He felt a surge of anxiety before the job interview.
The doctor prescribed medication to manage her anxiety.
In the 19th century, "anxiety" sometimes referred to eager longing.