sleep

sleep [slēp]

n.

[ME slep < OE slæp, akin to Ger schlaf, sleep, schlaff, loose, lax < IE * slab < base * (s)leb-, * (s)lab-, loose, slack > LIP, LIMP¹, L labor, to slip, sink]

1.

a) a natural, regularly recurring condition of rest for the body and mind, during which the eyes are usually closed and there is little or no conscious thought or voluntary movement, but there is intermittent dreaming

b) a spell of sleeping

2. any state of inactivity thought of as like sleep, as death, unconsciousness, hibernation, etc.

3. Bot. NYCTITROPISM

vi.

slept, sleeping

1. to be in the state of sleep; slumber

2. to be in a state of inactivity like sleep, as that of death, quiescence, hibernation, inattention, etc.

3. Informal to have sexual intercourse ( with)

4. Informal to postpone a decision ( on) to allow time for deliberation [let me sleep on it]

5. Bot. to assume a nyctitropic position at night, as petals or leaves

vt.

1. to slumber in (a specified kind of sleep) [to sleep the sleep of the just]

2. to provide sleeping accommodations for [a boat that sleeps four]

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last sleep

death

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sleep around

Informal to have promiscuous sexual relations

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sleep away

1. to spend in sleeping; sleep during

2. to get rid of by sleeping

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sleep in

1. to sleep at the place where one is employed as a household servant

2. to sleep later in the morning than one usually does

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sleep it off

to rid oneself of the effects of some excess, overindulgence, etc., specif. of the aftereffects of drinking much alcoholic liquor, by sleeping

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sleep off

to rid oneself of by sleeping

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sleep out

1. to spend in sleeping; sleep throughout

2. to sleep outdoors

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sleep over

Informal to spend the night at another's home