Etymology Map
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Lethargy

4 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a lack of energy and enthusiasm

Where does the word "lethargy" come from? It comes from Greek lēthargia, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 4
lēthargia
Greek · ancient
"forgetful sleep"
drowsiness, from 'lēthē', forgetfulness, the river of oblivion in the underworld
2
Stage 2 of 4
lethargia
Latin · ancient
"lethargy"
a medical term for morbid drowsiness
3
Stage 3 of 4
litargie
Old French · medieval
"lethargy"
a sleeping sickness
4
Stage 4 of 4
lethargy
English · 1300s
"lack of energy"
used in medicine before it meant ordinary sluggishness
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Read the full story

Lethargy’s story begins in Greek: lēthargia meant “forgetful sleep.” Drowsiness, from 'lēthē', forgetfulness, the river of oblivion in the underworld. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as lethargia. A medical term for morbid drowsiness. From there it passed into Old French as litargie by medieval. A sleeping sickness. It reached English by 1300s as lethargy. Used in medicine before it meant ordinary sluggishness. Today, lethargy means a lack of energy and enthusiasm.