siesta

noun si·es·ta \sē-ˈes-tə\

: a regular period of sleep or rest in the afternoon in some hot countries

: a brief sleep

Full Definition of SIESTA

: an afternoon nap or rest

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Origin of SIESTA

Spanish, from Latin sexta (hora) noon, literally, sixth hour — more at sext

First Known Use: 1655

Related to SIESTA

Synonyms: catnap, doze, drowse, forty winks, kip [chiefly British], ¹nap, snooze, wink

Rhymes with SIESTA

Avesta, celesta, egesta, fiesta, ingesta

SIESTA Defined for Kids

siesta

noun si·es·ta \sē-ˈe-stə\

Definition of SIESTA for Kids

: a nap or rest especially at midday

Word History of SIESTA

The ancient Romans counted the hours of the day from sunrise to sunset, an average of about twelve hours. The sixth hour of the Roman day—in Latin, sexta hora, or simply sexta—fell around noon. The word sexta passed into Spanish as siesta, which referred first to the hot period around the middle of the day, and then to a nap taken during this period after the midday meal. English siesta comes from the Spanish word.

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "siesta"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "siesta"

Nglish: Translation of "siesta" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "siesta" for Arabic speakers

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