susa
C1Formal/Literary
Definition
Meaning
State of being worried, anxious, or unsettled about a potential problem or future event.
An uneasy feeling of mild fear or apprehension; a state of mental agitation or disturbance; a disruption of peace or calm.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically denotes a less intense, more prolonged state of worry than 'fear' or 'terror'. Often implies concern about something specific but uncertain. Archaic or poetic in modern usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both varieties. More likely to be encountered in literary or formal historical contexts than in contemporary speech.
Connotations
British usage may retain slightly more archaic/literary flavor. American usage is exceptionally rare and may be perceived as affectation.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both. Primarily found in fixed phrases, poetry, or deliberate archaisms.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to be in susa (about something)to feel susa (at something)to be filled with susaVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be in a susa of anticipation”
- “To cast someone into susa”
- “A heart free from susa”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Rare, potentially in literary or historical analysis.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The strange noise filled him with susa.
- She felt a growing susa about the journey ahead.
- A deep susa settled over the village as the storm clouds gathered.
- He tried to hide his susa, but his hands were trembling.
- The political uncertainty cast a pall of susa over the financial markets.
- Her letters from the front were tinged with a quiet, persistent susa.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SUSpense + AnxiA' = SUS-A, a state of anxious suspense.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUSA IS A BURDEN (carry a susa), SUSA IS A LIQUID (filled with susa, a wave of susa), SUSA IS DARKNESS (clouded by susa).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'суса' (a type of metal foil/leaf). They are false friends with completely different meanings.
- Not a cognate. The English word is unrelated and archaic.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in modern contexts where 'anxiety' or 'worry' is intended.
- Misspelling as 'suzza' or 'soosa'.
- Assuming it is a common word.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'susa' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'susa' is an archaic or literary word. It is very rarely used in contemporary spoken or written English outside of poetic or deliberately old-fashioned contexts.
'Anxiety' or 'apprehension' are the closest modern equivalents in terms of meaning and register.
No, in standard English, 'susa' is only attested as a noun. There is no commonly accepted verb form ('to susa').
Etymologically, they are not directly related. 'Suspense' comes from Latin 'suspendere' (to hang up), while 'susa' has obscure origins, possibly from Old French. However, they are near-synonyms in certain contexts, both relating to a state of anxious uncertainty.