somnambulism

[ som-nam-byuh-liz-uhm, suhm- ]

noun

1. sleepwalking.

somnambulism

/ sɒmˈnæmbjʊˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a condition that is characterized by walking while asleep or in a hypnotic trance Also callednoctambulism

Derived Forms

• somˈnambulist, noun
• somˌnambuˈlistic, adjective

Other Words From

• som·nam·bu·list noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of somnambulism¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from French somnambulisme, from New Latin somnambulismus, equivalent to somn(us) “sleep” + ambul(āre) “to walk” + -ismus -ism

Example Sentences

In some intuitive way, surviving probably from the somnambulism, she knew or guessed as much as I knew.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a state of mind was a real disease, or I know not if it may be called a kind of somnambulism.

From Project Gutenberg

That night—it was after the funeral—his tendency to somnambulism manifested itself.

From Project Gutenberg

Neither were her movements stiff and mechanical, as we often see in the representations of somnambulism on the stage.

From Project Gutenberg

Magic, witchcraft, magnetism, somnambulism are certain to present many attractions to lovers of the marvelous.

From Project Gutenberg