drowning
UK[ˈdraʊnɪŋ]US[ˈdraʊnɪŋ]
v
the process of dying through submersion in and inhalation of water.
v
the process of being overwhelmed, flooded, or inundated by something, typically a sound or emotion.
Morpheme Breakdown
drown
ing
drown
to suffocate in water
ing
gerund/verbal noun suffix
Etymology
the verb 'drown' entered middle english from old norse 'drukna', meaning 'to be drowned'. its ultimate origin is obscure but may be connected to a proto-germanic root related to drinking or being submerged. the '-ing' suffix is a prolific germanic element used to create nouns from verbs, indicating the action or process itself. thus, 'drowning' literally names the process of becoming submerged and suffocated, a meaning which has extended metaphorically to describe being overwhelmed by non-physical forces such as noise or sorrow.
Analysis
Structure: drown (to suffocate in water) + ing (gerund/verbal noun suffix)
drown (middle english, of uncertain origin, possibly from old english drūnian meaning 'to be drowned'); ing (old english, suffix forming verbal nouns and present participles).
Examples
the lifeguard was trained in preventing drowning.
she felt a sense of drowning in paperwork as the deadline approached.
the loud music was drowning out our conversation.