somnolence
/'sɔmnələns/ Cách viết khác : (somnolency) /'sɔmnələnsi/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A state of drowsiness or sleepiness: Somnolence refers to a condition of being very sleepy or inclined to sleep, often characterized by a strong desire to doze off.
- A state of near-sleep: It can describe a transitional state between wakefulness and sleep, marked by reduced alertness and responsiveness.
Usage
- General Use: Used to describe a general feeling of sleepiness or a medical condition involving excessive daytime sleepiness.
- Medical/Formal Context: Often used in clinical or formal settings to describe a symptom of various conditions or side effects of medications.
Examples
- Noun:
- The medication's side effects include dizziness and somnolence.
- After a large lunch, a feeling of somnolence settled over the entire office.
- Chronic somnolence can be a sign of an underlying sleep disorder.
Advanced Usage
- "Pathological somnolence": Refers to excessive sleepiness that is abnormal and may indicate a medical problem.
- The doctor investigated the cause of her pathological somnolence.
- "Induce somnolence": To cause drowsiness.
- The warm room and quiet music induced a pleasant somnolence.
Variants and Related Words
- Somnolent (adj): Feeling sleepy; drowsy.
- The somnolent cat lay in the sunbeam.
- Somnolency (n): An alternative, less common form of "somnolence."
- (Rare in modern usage)
Synonyms
- Drowsiness: The state of being sleepy and lethargic.
- Sleepiness: The condition of needing or being ready for sleep.
- Lethargy: A lack of energy and enthusiasm, which can include sleepiness.
Antonyms
- Alertness: The state of being vigilant and quick to respond.
- Wakefulness: The condition of being awake and not sleepy.
- Insomnia: The inability to fall or stay asleep.
Notes on Meaning
- Core Meaning: The primary meaning is a strong desire for sleep or a state of near-sleep.
- Nuance: While similar to general tiredness or fatigue, "somnolence" specifically emphasizes the propensity to fall asleep. It is often a more formal or clinical term than "sleepiness."
Noun
- a very sleepy state
- sleepiness causes many driving accidents