siesta
UK[siˈestə]US[siˈestə]
n
a rest or nap taken in the early afternoon, especially in hot countries.
Etymology
the word 'siesta' entered english directly from spanish in the 17th century, carrying its meaning of a midday rest. the spanish term originates from the latin 'hora sexta', meaning 'the sixth hour'. in the roman system of dividing the daylight, the sixth hour corresponded to noon. over time, the phrase referred to the period of rest taken at that hottest part of the day. thus, the modern english meaning retains this historical link to a cultural practice of resting during the early afternoon heat.
Analysis
the word is a direct loanword from spanish and is not productively segmented into smaller, meaningful parts in english.
Examples
after the large lunch, the whole village would settle down for a two-hour siesta.
many businesses in the region close in the early afternoon to observe the traditional siesta.
he revived his energy with a quick twenty-minute siesta before the evening meeting.