unrest

From Middle English unreste, equivalent to un- +‎ rest. Cognate with West Frisian ûnrêst (“unrest”), Dutch onrust (“unrest”), German Low German Unrüst (“unrest”). Compare also Saterland Frisian Uunraue (“unrest”), German Unruhe (“unrest”), Danish uro (“unrest”), Swedish oro (“unrest”), Icelandic órói (“unrest”). Compare also Old English orrest (“battle”), Old Norse orrosta, orresta (“battle”).

• IPA^(key): /ʌnˈɹɛst/

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• Rhymes: -ɛst

unrest (usually uncountable, plural unrests)

1. A state of trouble, confusion and turbulence, especially in a political context; a time of riots, demonstrations and protests.
   • 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, Canto XVI, page 26:

     What words are these have fall’n from me?
     ⁠Can calm despair and wild unrest
     ⁠Be tenants of a single breast,
     Or sorrow such a changeling be?

• civil unrest

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