narcolepsy

[ nahr-kuh-lep-see ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a condition characterized by frequent and uncontrollable periods of deep sleep.

narcolepsy

/ ˈnɑːkəˌlɛpsɪ /

noun

1. pathol a rare condition characterized by sudden and uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep

Derived Forms

• ˌnarcoˈleptic, adjective

Other Words From

• narco·leptic adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of narcolepsy¹

First recorded in 1875–80; narco- + (epi)lepsy

Example Sentences

Additional experiments suggest that these dopamine-making nerve cells may also be involved in aspects of narcolepsy.

From Science News

The drug cited in Boyland’s death is addictive and can be prescribed to treat attention-deficit disorder and narcolepsy.

From Washington Post

In the 1980s, Allan Rechtschaffen, a sleep researcher at the University of Chicago celebrated for his pioneering work on narcolepsy, began to design experiments that could separate the effects of overstimulation from those of sleeplessness.

From Quanta Magazine

In white subjects, narcolepsy is seldom fatal but has been known to last for years.

From Project Gutenberg