Accidie

/əˈsɪdi/ noun

Definition

An alternative spelling of accidia; spiritual numbness, indifference, or melancholic despair.

Etymology

English variant of accidia, showing how Middle English scribes Anglicized the Greek term differently. The -ie ending reflects Old French influence on English spelling conventions.

Kelly Says

This alternate spelling reveals how medieval English wobbled between French and Latin influences—scribes weren't sure if the word should end in -a or -ie, so both survived in manuscripts for centuries.

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