Definition of the word trudge

The word "trudge" originated in the mid-19th century and is believed to have come from the Scandinavian language. Specifically, the word likely originated from the Norwegian "traade," which means "to move heavily through deep snow," or the older Swedish word "traada," with a similar meaning. The term "trudge" was first recorded in the late 1850s in the English language, and its original meaning was closely tied to snowy or otherwise difficult terrain. Over time, the word has come to be used more broadly to describe any kind of slow and weary progress through obstacles, both physical and metaphorical. The Old Norse and Old Swedish versions of the word are thought to be related to two different root words: "tregn," meaning "heavy," and "treckn," meaning "to carry." It is possible that the Portuguese word "tracar," meaning "to set out," could also have contributed to the formation of the English term. The evolution of the meaning of "trudge" highlights the way in which a word can adapt and expand over time, as it is used and interpreted by different cultures and speakers. Today, "trudge" is a commonly-used English word that connotes a sense of difficult or repetitive movement, often associated with physical or emotional exhaustion.