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anx·i·e·ty

(ăng-zīĭ-tē)

n. pl. anx·i·e·ties

a. A state of uneasiness and apprehension, as about future uncertainties.

b. A cause of anxiety: For some people, air travel is a real anxiety.

2. Psychology A state of apprehension, uncertainty, and fear focused on the anticipation of a realistic or fantasized threatening event or situation, often impairing physical and psychological functioning.

3. Eager, often agitated desire: my anxiety to make a good impression.

[Latin ānxietās, from ānxius, anxious; see ANXIOUS.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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