Definition of swoon

The origins of the word "swoon" can be traced back to the Middle English language, where it was spelled swenen or swoynen. This word, in turn, was derived from the Old Norse word svána, which meant "to faint or lose consciousness." The Old Norse word made its way into Middle English through Scandinavian languages, specifically Old Danish and Old Norwegian. From Middle English, the word spread to other Old English dialects, eventually leading to its current usage in modern-day English. The meaning of "swoon" has evolved over time. In the 1400s, it was primarily used to describe a state of dizziness or fainting, often due to extreme emotion or illness. In later centuries, it took on additional connotations related to romance and attraction, as in the expression "swooning over" someone. Today, "swoon" is commonly used to describe an exaggerated or romantic reaction to something, particularly in relation to celebrities or fictional characters. While its origins may be rooted in serious medical concerns, "swoon" has since acquired a more lighthearted and playful use in modern English.