Stagnation
/ˌstæɡˈneɪ.ʃən/noun
The state of not flowing, moving, or progressing.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *stagnum*, meaning “standing water” or a stagnant pool, so the idea of lifeless, motionless water is built right into the word’s DNA.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*stā-
“to stand, make firm”
Latin
Latin
stagnāre
“to make or become stagnant; to stand still”
Latin
Latin
stagnum
“standing water; a pool or stagnant water”
14th Century
Middle English
stagnacioun
“a state of becoming still, especially of water”
Modern English
English
stagnation
“the condition of being inactive, motionless, or not progressing”