sicken

UK: ˈsɪkən | US: ˈsɪkən

Definition

  1. vt. to cause someone to feel disgust or revulsion

  2. vi. to become ill or nauseated

  3. vi. (archaic) to show symptoms of disease

Structure
sick <ill>en <verb suffix>
Etymology

sicken = sick<ill> + en<verb suffix>

  • sick: From Old English sēoc (ill, diseased), related to Dutch ziek and German siech. Originally described physical or mental suffering.
  • en: A verb-forming suffix from Old English -nian, used to convert adjectives/nouns into verbs (e.g., darken, strengthen).

Etymology Origin:
The word sicken emerged in Middle English (12th century) by combining sick (illness) with the suffix -en, creating a verb meaning "to make or become ill." Over time, it expanded to include emotional disgust (e.g., "sickened by cruelty"), reflecting how physical and emotional aversion intertwine linguistically.

Examples

  1. The graphic images may sicken sensitive viewers.

  2. He began to sicken after eating spoiled food.

  3. The dictator’s cruelty sickened the international community.

  4. Plants sicken if overwatered.

  5. (Archaic) The cattle sickened during the drought.