Siesta
/siˈɛstə/noun
A short nap or rest taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal.
Did you know?The concept of a siesta is rooted in ancient Roman customs, where people would take a break during the hottest part of the day, reflecting a connection to the sun's cycles.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
sexta hora
“the sixth hour, referring to the time around noon when a break was traditionally taken.”
Old Spanish
Old Spanish
siesta
“a nap taken in the afternoon, derived from the Latin phrase.”
Modern Spanish
Spanish
siesta
“afternoon nap, still widely practiced in Spanish-speaking cultures.”
19th Century
English
siesta
“adopted into English from Spanish, retaining the meaning of an afternoon nap.”
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