siesta
pronunciation
How to pronounce siesta in British English:
UK [siˈestə]
How to pronounce siesta in American English:
US [siˈɛstə]
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- Noun:
- a nap in the early afternoon (especially in hot countries)
Word Origin
- siesta (n.)
- "mid-day nap," 1650s, from Spanish siesta, from Latin sexta (hora) "sixth (hour)," the noon of the Roman day (coming six hours after sunrise), from sexta, fem. of sextus "sixth" (see Sextus).
Example
- 1. Daily naps : one cherished custom of ikarians is the mid-day siesta or afternoon nap .
- 2. While living here I 've come to realize that the siesta is essential to life , especially during the summer .
- 3. It may be that those who have a tendency to wake up groggy are choosing not to siesta in the first place .
- 4. The siesta would be limited to 15 minutes , and if it improves concentration and quality of work it might be adopted more widely .
- 5. Despite their siesta habit , spaniards rank only third in the poll after americans , who sleep more than 8.5 hours .