Swoon
/swuːn/noun
To faint or lose consciousness, often due to overwhelming emotion.
Did you know?In medieval times, a swoon was often associated with a spiritual or divine experience, linked to the concept of being 'overcome' by an otherworldly force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*swew-
“to be faint, to be weak or sickly.”
Old English
Old English
swōgan
“to breathe heavily, to sigh, often in a state of passion or emotion.”
Middle English
Middle English
swounen
“to faint, to fall into a state of unconsciousness or ecstasy.”
15th Century
Middle English
swoone
“to lose consciousness as a result of intense emotion, often romantic.”
Modern English
English
swoon
“to faint or lose consciousness, particularly from overwhelming feelings.”