sli:p n. & v. --n. 1 a
condition of
body and mind such as
that which normally recurs
for several hours
every night, in which
the nervous system is
inactive, the eyes
closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and
consciousness practically suspended. 2 a
period of sleep (shall
try to
get a sleep). 3 a
state like sleep, such as rest,
quiet,
negligence, or
death. 4 the prolonged
inert condition of hibernating animals. 5 a
substance found in the corners of the eyes
after sleep. --v. (past and
past part. slept) 1 intr. a be in a state of sleep. b
fall asleep. 2 intr. (foll. by
at,
in, etc.)
spend the night. 3 tr.
provide sleeping
accommodation for (the
house sleeps six). 4 intr. (foll. by
with, together)
have sexual intercourse,
esp. in
bed. 5 intr. (foll. by
on, over)
not decide (a question)
until the
next day. 6 intr. (foll. by through)
fail to be
woken by. 7 intr. be inactive or
dormant. 8 intr. be
dead; lie in the grave. 9 tr. a (foll. by off)
remedy by sleeping (slept
off his hangover). b (foll. by away) spend in sleeping (sleep the hours away). 10 intr. (of a top)
spin so steadily as to
seem motionless. øget to sleep
manage to fall asleep. go to sleep 1
enter a state of sleep. 2 (of a limb)
become numbed by
pressure. in one's sleep
while asleep. last sleep death. let sleeping dogs lie
avoid stirring up
trouble. put to sleep 1
anaesthetize. 2
kill (an animal) painlessly. sleep
around colloq. be sexually
promiscuous. sleep in 1
remain asleep later
than usual in the
morning. 2 sleep by night at one's
place of
work. sleeping-bag a lined or padded
bag to sleep in esp.
when camping etc. Sleeping
Beauty a fairy-tale
heroine who slept for 100 years. sleeping-car (or -carriage) a
railway coach provided with beds or berths. sleeping-draught a
drink to
induce sleep. sleeping
partner a partner not sharing in the
actual work of a firm. sleeping-pill a
pill to induce sleep. sleeping
policeman a ramp etc. in the road
intended to
cause traffic to
reduce speed. sleeping
sickness any of several
tropical diseases with
extreme lethargy caused by a
trypanosome transmitted by a tsetse-fly
bite. sleeping-suit a child's one-piece night-garment. sleep-learning
learning by
hearing while asleep. sleep like a log (or top) sleep soundly. the sleep of the
just sound sleep. sleep
out sleep by night out of doors, or not at one's place of work. sleep-out n.
Austral. & NZ a
veranda,
porch, or
outbuilding providing sleeping accommodation. [OE slep, slóp (n.), slepan, slópan (v.) f. Gmc]
