sicken
UK[ˈsɪkən]US[ˈsɪkən]
v
to make someone feel disgusted or shocked
v
to become ill
Morpheme Breakdown
sick
en
sick
ill, diseased
en
to make or become
Etymology
the verb "sicken" is a transparent formation from the old english adjective "sēoc," meaning ill or diseased, combined with the old english verbal suffix "-en," which denotes causing a state or entering into a state. this productive suffix, seen in words like "darken" and "soften," was used to create causative and inchoative verbs from adjectives. the core concept of "sēoc" itself is of germanic origin, related to dutch "ziek" and german "siech," carrying the ancient sense of physical affliction. thus, "sicken" literally means "to make or become sick," a meaning that has extended metaphorically to describe causing or experiencing feelings of disgust or revulsion.
Analysis
Structure: sick + en
sick (old english, meaning "ill, diseased") + en (old english, a verb-forming suffix meaning "to make or become")
Examples
the graphic images in the documentary were enough to sicken even the most hardened viewers.
without proper sanitation, the population began to sicken and die.
the thought of such betrayal sickens me.