worry
Meaning
to keep thinking about unpleasant things that might happen or about problems that you have
to make someone feel anxious and unhappy
a problem that you are anxious about or are not sure how to deal with
the feeling of being anxious about something
Usage
don't worry about things you can't control.
her constant lateness is starting to worry her boss.
his main worry is finding a job after graduation.
Etymology
The Modern English word 'worry' originates from the Old English 'wyrgan', which meant 'to strangle' or 'to seize by the throat'. This vivid physical sense was applied to dogs worrying or biting at their prey. By the 17th century, the meaning had extended metaphorically to describe the mental torment of being 'choked' or 'harassed' by anxiety, much like an animal being shaken in the jaws of a predator. This semantic shift from a violent physical action to a state of persistent mental distress illustrates a common pathway where emotional experiences are conceptualized through bodily metaphors. The word's journey reflects a deep-rooted human tendency to express internal feelings of anxiety through the external imagery of attack and constriction.
Analysis
The word is a simplex form. It is derived from the Old English verb 'wyrgan', meaning 'to strangle'. Its functional role has evolved from a physical action to a psychological state.