microsleep

[ mahy-kroh-sleep ]

noun

, Psychology.

1. a moment of sleep followed by disorientation, experienced especially by persons with narcolepsy or those affected by sleep deprivation.

microsleep

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌsliːp /

noun

1. a period of sleep which is so momentary as to be imperceptible

Word History and Origins

Origin of microsleep¹

First recorded in 1940–45; micro- + sleep