Difference between revisions of "Sigh"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] (as a verb): probably a back-formation from ''sighte'', past tense of ''siche'', ''sike'', from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] sīcan. | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] (as a verb): probably a back-formation from ''sighte'', past tense of ''siche'', ''sike'', from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] sīcan. | ||
− | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_century 13th Century] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1: emit a long, deep, audible [[breath]] expressing sadness, relief, tiredness, or a similar [[feeling]]: Harry sank into a chair and sighed with relief | [ with direct [[speech]] ] : “I'm in a bit of a mess,” Elaine sighed. | *1: emit a long, deep, audible [[breath]] expressing sadness, relief, tiredness, or a similar [[feeling]]: Harry sank into a chair and sighed with relief | [ with direct [[speech]] ] : “I'm in a bit of a mess,” Elaine sighed. |
Latest revision as of 02:32, 13 December 2020
Origin
Middle English (as a verb): probably a back-formation from sighte, past tense of siche, sike, from Old English sīcan.
Definitions
- 1: emit a long, deep, audible breath expressing sadness, relief, tiredness, or a similar feeling: Harry sank into a chair and sighed with relief | [ with direct speech ] : “I'm in a bit of a mess,” Elaine sighed.
- 2: (of the wind or something through which the wind blows) make a sound resembling this: a breeze made the treetops sigh.
- 3: (sigh for) literary feel a deep yearning for (someone or something lost, unattainable, or distant): he sighed for days gone by.
Description
A sigh is a kind of paralinguistic respiration in the form of a deep and especially audible, single exhalation of air out of the mouth or nose, that humans use to communicate emotion. It is voiced pharyngeal fricative, sometimes associated with a guttural glottal breath exuded in a low tone. It often arises from a negative emotion, such as dismay, dissatisfaction, boredom, or futility. A sigh can also arise from positive emotions such as relief, particularly in response to some negative situation ending or being avoided. Like a gasp, a yawn, or a moan, a sigh is often an automatic and unintentional act. In literature, a sigh is often used to signify that the person producing it is lovelorn. Andy Murray letting out a sigh during a game.
Scientific studies show that babies sigh after 50 to 100 breaths. This serves to improve the mechanical properties of lung tissue, and it also helps babies to develop a regular breathing rhythm. Behaviors equivalent to sighing have also been observed in animals such as dogs, monkeys, and horses.
In text messages and internet chat rooms, or in comic books, a sigh is usually represented with the word itself, 'sigh', possibly within asterisks, *sigh*.[1]