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narcosis

[nahr-koh-sis]
See more synonyms for narcosis on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a state of stupor or drowsiness.
  2. a state of stupor or greatly reduced activity produced by a drug.Compare nitrogen narcosis.
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Origin of narcosis

1685–95; < New Latin < Greek nárkōsis. See narc-, -osis
Also called narcotism.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for narcosis

Historical Examples

  • Ants show similar symptoms after narcosis by means of chloroform.

    Criminal Man

    Gina Lombroso-Ferrero

  • He sees already that it is not stimulus but narcosis which is ruining the drunkard.

  • It is thus probable that no alcohol can be transformed after narcosis begins.

  • The narcosis has no relation to the stimulation but one of accidental sequence.

  • The very air of the room was heavy with the narcosis of embarrassment.

    The Helpers

    Francis Lynde

British Dictionary definitions for narcosis

narcosis

noun
  1. unconsciousness induced by narcotics or general anaesthetics
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for narcosis

n.

1690s, "state of unconsciousness caused by a narcotic," Modern Latin, from Greek narkosis, from narkoun "to benumb" (see narcotic (n.)).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
narcosis in Medicine

narcosis

(när-kō′sĭs)
n. pl. nar•co•ses (-sēz)
  1. General and nonspecific reversible depression of neuronal excitability, produced by a physical or chemical agent, usually resulting in stupor rather than in anesthesia.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.