Sapped Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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sapped
[sæpt ]
Definition
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
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Feeling 'sapped' can be linked to cognitive overload, where too much mental effort leads to fatigue and decreased performance.
- Research shows that emotional states like stress or sadness can make people feel sapped, physically affecting their energy levels.
Literature
- Authors often describe characters as 'sapped' to convey their drained emotional state, enhancing the reader's empathy.
- In poetry, being 'sapped' can symbolize the loss of passion or motivation, illustrating a deeper struggle.
Pop Culture
- In popular media, characters who have been sapped often undergo a journey to regain their energy or spirit, showcasing resilience.
- Songs and movies often touch on the feeling of being 'sapped' after heartbreak, resonating with audiences' experiences of emotional weariness.
Health
- Physical exercise can lead to feeling sapped temporarily, highlighting the importance of rest and recovery for overall health.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome is a medical condition where individuals often feel sapped of energy, indicating a need for awareness and support.
Origin of 'sapped'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'sapped' comes from the Old English 'sæpp', which means juice or fluid of a plant, emphasizing the idea of losing life force.
- Historically, 'sap' has been linked to vitality, as it's essential for trees to transport nutrients, leading to the figurative use of 'sapped' as losing strength.
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.