siesta

Where does the word "siesta" come from? It comes from Latin sexta hora, passing through Spanish before entering English (1600s).

Siesta’s story begins in Latin: sexta hora meant “the sixth hour, midday.” Literally "the sixth hour" (counted from dawn, i.e. midday). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Spanish as siesta. Came to mean the midday rest taken during the day's heat. It reached English by 1600s as siesta. Latin 'sexta hora', the sixth hour after dawn, noon. Today, siesta means a short nap taken in the afternoon, especially in hot climates.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sexta hora "the sixth hour, midday", literally "the sixth hour" (counted from dawn, i.e. midday).
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · medieval siesta "a midday nap or rest", came to mean the midday rest taken during the day's heat.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s siesta "a short nap, especially after midday", Latin 'sexta hora', the sixth hour after dawn, noon.