quword 趣词
Word Origins Dictionary
- sullen
- sullen: [16] The etymological notion underlying sullen is of being miserable because one is ‘on one’s own’. The word comes from Anglo- Norman *solein ‘alone’, hence ‘miserable’, a derivative of Old French soul ‘alone’ (source of English sole).
=> sole, solo - sullen (adj.)
- 1570s, alteration of Middle English soleyn "unique, singular," from Anglo-French *solein, formed on the pattern of Old French solain "lonely," from soul "single," from Latin solus "by oneself, alone" (see sole (adj.)). The sense shift in Middle English from "solitary" to "morose" (i.e. "remaining alone through ill-humor") occurred late 14c. Related: Sullenly; sullenness.