sag
UK[sæɡ]US[sæɡ]
v
To bend, sink, or hang down unevenly, especially in the middle, under weight or pressure.
v
To become weaker, less firm, or less active; to decline.
n
An instance or area of sagging.
Etymology
The word 'sag' entered English in the late Middle English period, likely borrowed from maritime and trade contacts with Low German or Old Norse languages. It is part of a family of words, such as the Dutch 'zakken' (to sink) and the Swedish 'sacka', all sharing the core concept of yielding downward, settling, or losing firmness. This etymological root directly informs its modern meanings, from the physical bending of a loaded shelf to the metaphorical decline of spirits or market prices. The word's concise, almost onomatopoeic quality effectively conveys a sense of gradual, heavy descent.
Analysis
This word is a simplex form. It is a Middle English verb of likely Low German or Scandinavian origin, related to Dutch zakken (to sink) and Swedish sacka (to settle, sink). Its core function is to describe a downward motion or loss of tension.
Examples
The old bookshelf began to sag under the weight of the encyclopedias.
After the long hike, his energy started to sag noticeably.
There is a noticeable sag in the middle of the mattress.