Sap
/sæp/noun
The fluid that circulates in plants, or a person’s vital energy or strength.
Did you know?The English word *sap* for a plant’s vital fluid is ancient and related to a Germanic root meaning “juice” or “liquid,” which is why it could also develop the sense of a person’s strength being drained away.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*seip-
“to pour out, drip, or ooze”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*sapą
“sap, juice, liquid”
Old English
English
sæp
“sap, juice of plants”
Middle English
English
sap
“plant juice; later also, a person’s vitality or strength”
Modern English
English
sap
“the fluid circulating in plants; also, vitality or energy”