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Dictionary definition: sleep
- Article from:
- The Oxford American College Dictionary
Copyright© The Oxford American College Dictionary 2009, originally published by Oxford University Press 2009. (Hide copyright information)
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sleep
/
slēp
/
• n. a condition of body and mind such as that which typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the nervous system is inactive, the eyes closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended.
∎
chiefly
poetic/literary
a state compared to or resembling this, such as death or complete silence.
∎
a gummy secretion found in the corners of the eyes after sleep.
• v.(
past
and
past part.
slept
/
slept
/ ) [
intrans.
] rest in such a condition; be asleep.
∎
(
sleep through
)fail to be woken by:
he slept through the alarm.
∎
...