unrest

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A state of trouble and anger among people, often shown through protests or riots

   Years of political unrest finally led to a change of government.

2. 2
   noun

   A feeling of worry or restlessness that will not go away

   There was a quiet unrest in the office after the layoffs were announced.

From Middle English unreste, equivalent to un- + rest. Cognate with West Frisian ûnrêst (“unrest”), Dutch onrust (“unrest”), German Low German Unrüst (“unrest”). Compare also Saterland Frisian Uunraue (“unrest”), German Unruhe (“unrest”), Danish uro (“unrest”), Swedish oro (“unrest”), Icelandic órói (“unrest”). Compare also Old English orrest (“battle”), Old Norse orrosta, orresta (“battle”).

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