obsessed
UK: əbˈsɛst | US: əbˈsɛst
adj. 1. Preoccupied or excessively fixated on something to an unhealthy degree.
adj. 2. (Psychology) Dominated by persistent, intrusive thoughts or impulses.
obsessed = ob<against, intensive> + sess<sit> + ed<past participle suffix>
- ob: Latin prefix meaning "against" or intensifying action (e.g., obstruct). Here, it emphasizes fixation.
- sess: Derived from Latin sedere (to sit), implying a mental "sitting" or dwelling on something.
- ed: Past participle suffix, indicating a state resulting from the action.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin obsidēre (to besiege), combining ob- (intensive) + sedēre (to sit). Originally describing a military siege, it evolved metaphorically to depict a mind "besieged" by persistent thoughts. By the 19th century, it gained its modern psychological connotation of irrational fixation.
She became obsessed with achieving perfection in her work.
He was obsessed by the fear of failure.
The detective grew obsessed with solving the cold case.
Social media can make people obsessed with validation.
Her obsessed behavior strained relationships.