Unstrung Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
unstrung
[สnหstrสล ]
Definitions
emotional state
Unstrung describes a state of emotional agitation or distress, where someone feels overwhelmed or unable to cope. It can refer to being excessively anxious or upset, often to the point of being unsteady or unstable.
Synonyms
distressed, tense, unsettled, upset.
Examples of usage
- She felt unstrung after receiving the news of the accident.
- He was unstrung during the stressful situation at work.
- The constant pressure left him feeling unstrung and irritable.
physical condition
In a physical context, unstrung can refer to a stringed instrument that has had its strings removed or loosened, rendering it unable to produce music. This term often implies that the instrument is not ready for performance.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The violin was unstrung and needed new strings.
- He left the guitar unstrung in the corner of the room.
- After years of neglect, the harp lay unstrung on its stand.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Feeling unstrung can manifest as anxiety or stress, indicating a lack of emotional balance.
- Itโs often used to describe someone who is overwhelmed, suggesting a mental state where one feels out of control.
Literature
- In literature, characters described as unstrung often face personal crises or emotional turmoil that affects their actions.
- This term appears in poetry to convey deep feelings of loss or disconnection.
Pop Culture
- In films and books, an unstrung character might be depicted as losing essential relationships or facing significant challenges, highlighting their struggles.
- Music often uses the imagery of being unstrung in lyrics to symbolize heartbreak or loss.
Origin of 'unstrung'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from Old English, where 'un-' means 'not' and 'strung' refers to being stretched tight.
- The concept of being unstrung can also relate to physical objects, like strings on a musical instrument that can break or be removed.
The term 'unstrung' is derived from the prefix 'un-', meaning 'not' or 'opposite of', combined with 'strung', the past participle of 'string', which comes from Old English 'stringan', meaning to stretch or to pull. Historically, the concept of being 'strung' was associated with tension or readiness, both in emotional and physical contexts. The use of 'unstrung' as an emotional descriptor likely emerged in the 19th century, reflecting the growing awareness of mental health and emotional states. In physical terms, the word has been used in music contexts for centuries, indicating the literal action of removing the strings from instruments. The dual meanings of the word reflect broader themes of tension and release, both in human emotions and in the mechanics of musical instruments.