somnambulism
[som-nam-byuh-liz-uh m, suh m-]
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Origin of somnambulism
1790–1800; < New Latin somnambulismus, equivalent to somn(us) sleep + ambul(āre) to walk + -ismus -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for somnambulism
Historical Examples
There was something frightful in this somnambulism of drunkenness.
"Mr. Phelps tells me you suffer from somnambulism," the doctor went on.
The Ivory Snuff BoxArnold Fredericks
But she had not for some time discovered any signs of somnambulism.
David ElginbrodGeorge MacDonald
It would seem, besides, that she was naturally disposed to somnambulism.
David ElginbrodGeorge MacDonald
But somnambulism, while arising in sleep, is not at all a feature of sleep.
PsychotherapyHugo Mnsterberg
somnambulism
- a condition that is characterized by walking while asleep or in a hypnotic tranceAlso called: noctambulism
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for somnambulism
n.
1786, "walking in one's sleep or under hypnosis," from French somnambulisme, from Modern Latin somnambulus "sleepwalker," from Latin somnus "sleep" (see Somnus) + ambulare "to walk" (see amble (v.)).
Originally brought into use during the excitement over "animal magnetism;" it won out over noctambulation. A stack of related words came into use early 19c., e.g. somnambule "sleepwalker" (1837, from French somnambule, 1690s), earlier somnambulator (1803); as adjectives, somnambulary (1827), somnambular (1820).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
somnambulism
(sŏm-năm′byə-lĭz′əm)- sleepwalking
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.