What is the origin of word arouse?

The word "arouse" has an interesting history, tracing back to Old French and ultimately to Latin roots. Here's the breakdown:

* Old French: "arouser"

* Latin: "ad" (to) + "rousum" (rest)

Here's how it evolved:

1. "Roussum" meant "rest" in Latin, specifically referring to "rest from work."

2. The prefix "ad" was added, creating "adrousum," which meant "to bring out of rest."

3. This Latin phrase was adopted into Old French as "arouser," meaning "to wake up" or "to stir up."

4. Over time, "arouser" evolved into the English word "arouse," which retains the same basic meaning of awakening or stimulating.

Therefore, "arouse" literally means "to bring out of rest," which can be applied to both physical awakening and emotional or intellectual stimulation.