Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Drag to rotate
Tracing “”…
Where does the word "obsession" come from? It comes from Latin obsidere, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "obsession" come from? It comes from Latin obsidere, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
Obsession’s story begins in Latin: obsidere meant “to besiege.” To besiege, from ob- (against) and sedere (to sit). It reached English by 1500s as obsession. Broadened from being besieged by a hostile spirit to a persistent, intrusive preoccupation. Today, obsession means a persistent, intrusive thought or preoccupation with something.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient obsidere "to besiege", to besiege, from ob- (against) and sedere (to sit).
- Stage 2 · English · 1500s obsession "a persistent, intrusive preoccupation with something", broadened from being besieged by a hostile spirit to a persistent, intrusive preoccupation.