sandman

[sand-man]

noun

plural

sandmen 

1. the man who, in fairy tales or folklore, puts sand in the eyes of children to make them sleepy.

sandman

/ ˈsændˌmæn /

noun

1. (in folklore) a magical person supposed to put children to sleep by sprinkling sand in their eyes

Word History and Origins

Origin of sandman¹

First recorded in 1860–65; sand + man

Example Sentences

But when she was hit with the deaths of her father and stepfather in rapid, peak COVID-era succession, the sandman took a more extended leave of absence.

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Garments are dusted with a glimmering sheen, as if visited by the sandman.

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Menopause, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and all kinds of mental health challenges can do a fine job of throwing themselves between us and the sandman.

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The sandman, it seems, works in nefarious ways.

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The title is from traditional children’s tales of a sandman who comes at bedtime to toss sand in children’s eyes to put them to sleep.

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Related Words

• coma 
• dream 
• hibernation 
• slumber 
• trance