Analysis of the word- ‘nightmare’ with a focus on the etymological, semantic and orthographic characteristics.

1.     When does the OED citation first record the appearance of the word in printed text?

The word originally was used to describe a female spirit who produced a feeling of suffocation when a human/animal was sleeping.

2.     What type of text (or context) did it first appear in?

C. Horstmann in 1887

3Where does the word come from?

USA

4. Has the word always been gender specific?

It was originally specified to be a female spirit but eventually had neither gender specifically tied to it.

5. Has the word changed over time?

The word has a negative connotation as it is linked to fear. Was associated with suffocation in sleep, but now associated with a bad dream. It can also be used to describe a situation of negativity. Nightmares were also described as an oppressive fear.

6. Has the spelling of the word changed?

Has been ‘nyghtesmare’ and ‘nightesmare’

7. Does the word exist in more than one word class?

Noun and verb

8. Does the dictionary definition match your understanding of the word?

a bad dream producing these or similar sensations; an oppressive, frightening, or unpleasant dream.