The correct spelling of the phrase "sicken with" is /ˈsɪkən wɪð/. The word "sicken" is spelled with the letter "s" and not "c" because it is derived from the Old English word "sēocian," which means to become ill. The letter "c" was added later through influence from the Old Low German word "sikken." The preposition "with" is spelled with the letters "w-i-t-h" and pronounced as /wɪð/. Together, they describe the feeling of becoming ill due to a certain cause or agent.
"Sicken with" is a phrase that refers to the act of causing someone to become ill or to experience strong feelings of disgust, repulsion, or aversion towards something. This expression often implies a strong negative reaction or a feeling of revulsion that can range from physical discomfort and unease to emotional distress.
When used in the context of physical sickness, "sicken with" typically denotes the action of becoming ill due to exposure to a contagious disease or harmful substances. It may also imply feeling sickened or nauseated as a result of ingesting spoiled or contaminated food or liquids.
Furthermore, "sicken with" can also be used more figuratively to describe an emotional or mental response to something unpleasant or disturbing. For instance, a person might be said to be "sickened with despair" or "sickened with grief," indicating a state of overwhelming distress or intense sorrow. Similarly, one can be "sickened with rage" or "sickened with disgust" when strongly and negatively impacted by certain actions, events, or ideologies.
In summary, "sicken with" suggests a state of physical or emotional discomfort, illness, or revulsion caused by, respectively, exposure to disease or harmful substances, or as a result of encountering distressing or abhorrent circumstances.
The word "sicken" originated from the Old English word "sīcan", which meant "to become ill" or "to weaken". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "seukōną". The word "with" is a preposition that has various meanings, one of which is "characterized by" or "affected by". So the phrase "sicken with" essentially means "to become ill or weakened due to a particular condition or circumstance".