sémouvoir

Sémouvoir is a French verb that translates to "to move," "to stir," or "to rouse" in English, particularly in an emotional or sentimental sense. It implies evoking feelings such as sympathy, compassion, or excitement in someone. The verb is often used to describe how a story, a piece of music, a work of art, or an act of kindness can affect an individual's emotions.

The etymology of sémouvoir traces back to the Latin verb movere, meaning "to move." The prefix se- is an intensive prefix, emphasizing the action of moving. Therefore, sémouvoir literally means to move oneself or to be deeply moved.

In common usage, sémouvoir often appears in contexts related to empathy and emotional response. For example, one might say that a particular film "m'a ému" (moved me) if it evoked strong emotions. Similarly, witnessing an act of generosity could "émouvoir" onlookers. The verb suggests a genuine and often profound emotional reaction, going beyond mere superficial feelings. It can also be used to describe being stirred to action or thought by something.