Nausea
/ˈnɔː.zi.ə/noun
A feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit.
Did you know?In ancient times, sailors believed that nausea was a sign of displeasing the sea gods, reflecting a deep connection between emotion and maritime journeys.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*nau-
“to swim, float, or navigate, often related to the sea.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ναυτία (nautia)
“seasickness, discomfort associated with being on a ship.”
Latin
Latin
nausea
“seasickness, a state of discomfort often linked to travel.”
Middle English
Middle English
nausee
“discomfort or queasiness, especially from motion.”
Modern English
English
nausea
“a strong feeling of sickness, especially to the point of vomiting.”
Explore more surprising origins