deflated
/dɪˈfleɪtɪd/
adjective
Origin
Latin
deflare — to blow away
Overview
Meaning Now
- Having been emptied of air or gas; collapsed.
- Feeling dispirited, discouraged, or having one's confidence or importance reduced.
Literal older meaning
blown away from
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
deflated
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The term originated in scientific contexts to describe the physical act of removing air. By the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was metaphorically applied to economics and psychology, describing the loss of value in currency or the loss of pride in individuals.
Evolution
- Latin
deflare
“to blow down or away”
- Middle French
déflater
“to empty of air”
Adapted from the Latin past participle stem.
- 17th Century English
deflate
“to release air or gas from”
Back-formation from deflation.
- 19th Century English
deflated
“reduced in size or spirits”
Extended usage from physical objects to emotional states.
Connections
Word parts
de-
prefix
down, away, off
flat
root
to blow
-ed
suffix
past participle marker
Related across languages
French
dégonflé
deflated
Explore next
Related to deflated
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.