Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

sleep apnea

noun
  1. See under apnea.
Show More

Origin of sleep apnea

First recorded in 1975–80

apnea

or ap·noe·a

[ap-nee-uh, ap-nee-uh]
noun Pathology.
  1. a temporary suspension of breathing, occurring in some newborns (infant apnea) and in some adults during sleep (sleep apnea).
  2. asphyxia.
Show More

Origin of apnea

1710–20; < New Latin apnoea < Greek ápnoia, equivalent to ápno(os) breathless (a- a-6 + pno-, variant stem of pneîn to breathe + -os adj. suffix) + -ia -ia
Related formsap·ne·al, ap·ne·ic, ap·noe·al, ap·noe·ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Word Origin and History for sleep apnea

apnea

n.

"suspension of breathing," also apnoea, 1719, Modern Latin, from Greek apnoia "absence of respiration," from apnos "without breathing," from a- "not" (see a- (3)) + pnein "to breathe" (see pneuma).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
sleep apnea in Medicine

apnea

(ăp′nē-ə, ăp-nē′ə)
n.
  1. Temporary absence or cessation of breathing.
Show More
Related formsap•ne′ic adj. n.

sleep apnea

n.
  1. Apnea caused by upper airway obstruction during sleep, associated with frequent awakening and often with daytime sleepiness.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
sleep apnea in Science

apnea

[ăp′nē-ə, ăp-nē′ə]
  1. The temporary absence or cessation of breathing.
Show More

sleep apnea

  1. Apnea caused by upper airway obstruction during sleep, associated with frequent awakening and often with daytime sleepiness. It occurs most often in people who are obese or who have an obstructed respiratory tract or neurological abnormalities.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.