Sapped: meaning, definitions and examples
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sapped
[ sæpt ]
energy loss
To sap means to gradually weaken or destroy something. It often refers to the act of draining vitality, strength, or energy from someone or something over a period of time. This term can imply a sense of wearing down through persistent pressure or adversity. For example, a demanding job might sap one's enthusiasm for life, or illness can sap a person's strength.
Synonyms
deplete, diminish, drain, exhaust, weaken
Examples of usage
- The long hours at work sapped her energy.
- His constant worries sapped his motivation.
- The hot weather sapped the athletes' stamina.
Translations
Translations of the word "sapped" in other languages:
🇵🇹 esgotado
🇮🇳 निचोड़ लिया गया
🇩🇪 ausgelaugt
🇮🇩 terhisap
🇺🇦 виснажений
🇵🇱 wyczerpany
🇯🇵 枯渇した
🇫🇷 épuisé
🇪🇸 agotado
🇹🇷 tükenmiş
🇰🇷 고갈된
🇸🇦 مرهق
🇨🇿 vyčerpaný
🇸🇰 vyčerpaný
🇨🇳 耗尽的
🇸🇮 izčrpan
🇮🇸 tæmdur
🇰🇿 таусылған
🇬🇪 გამოფიტული
🇦🇿 tükənmiş
🇲🇽 agotado
Word origin
The word 'sap' comes from the Old English 'sappe,' which means fluid or juice. Originally, it referred to the fluid that circulates through plants, allowing them to grow and thrive. Over time, the term evolved to take on a more figurative meaning. By the late Middle Ages, it began to be used to describe the process of undermining strength or vitality, drawing on the natural imagery of draining life-sustaining substances from a source. This evolution reflects a broader linguistic trend where terms related to bodily or natural processes become metaphorically applied to human experiences and emotions. The modern usage captures the essence of gradual reduction, often in a context of effort, resilience, or emotional states.