asea
|a-sea|
/əˈsiː/
on or into the sea; seasick
Etymology
'asea' originates from English, formed from the prefix 'a-' (meaning 'on' or 'in') + the noun 'sea'.
'asea' arose in Middle English as the compound 'a-sea' (from Old English prefixal use of 'a-' combined with Old English 'sæ' meaning 'sea') and continued into Modern English as 'asea'.
Initially it meant 'on the sea' (literally), but over time it also came to mean 'seasick' and, figuratively, 'perplexed' or 'at a loss'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
feeling sick from the motion of a vessel; seasick.
He grew asea during the storm.
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Adjective 2
(dated or figurative) At a loss; perplexed or confused.
I was asea trying to solve the puzzle.
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Last updated: 2025/10/27 11:56