n. & v.
--n.
1. a condition of body and mind such as that which normally recurs for several hours every night, in which the nervous system is inactive, the eyes closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended.
2 a period of sleep (shall try to get a sleep).
3 a state like sleep, such as rest, quiet, negligence, or death.
4 the prolonged inert condition of hibernating animals.
5 a substance found in the corners of the eyes after sleep.
--v. (past and past part. slept)
1. intr. a be in a state of sleep. b fall asleep.
2 intr. (foll. by at, in, etc.) spend the night.
3 tr. provide sleeping accommodation for (the house sleeps six).
4 intr. (foll. by with, together) have sexual intercourse, esp. in bed.
5 intr. (foll. by on, over) not decide (a question) until the next day.
6 intr. (foll. by through) fail to be woken by.
7 intr. be inactive or dormant.
8 intr. be dead; lie in the grave.
9 tr. a (foll. by off) remedy by sleeping (slept off his hangover). b (foll. by away) spend in sleeping (sleep the hours away).
10 intr. (of a top) spin so steadily as to seem motionless.
Phrases and idioms:
get to sleep manage to fall asleep. go to sleep 1 enter a state of sleep.
2 (of a limb) become numbed by pressure. in one's sleep while asleep. last sleep death. let sleeping dogs lie avoid stirring up trouble. put to sleep 1 anaesthetize.
2 kill (an animal) painlessly. sleep around colloq. be sexually promiscuous.
sleep in
1. remain asleep later than usual in the morning.
2 sleep by night at one's place of work. sleeping-bag a lined or padded bag to sleep in esp. when camping etc. Sleeping Beauty a fairy-tale heroine who slept for 100 years. sleeping-car (or -carriage) a railway coach provided with beds or berths. sleeping-draught a drink to induce sleep. sleeping partner a partner not sharing in the actual work of a firm. sleeping-pill a pill to induce sleep. sleeping policeman a ramp etc. in the road intended to cause traffic to reduce speed. sleeping sickness any of several tropical diseases with extreme lethargy caused by a trypanosome transmitted by a tsetse-fly bite. sleeping-suit a child's one-piece night-garment. sleep-learning learning by hearing while asleep. sleep like a log (or top) sleep soundly. the sleep of the just sound sleep. sleep out sleep by night out of doors, or not at one's place of work. sleep-out n. Austral. & NZ a veranda, porch, or outbuilding providing sleeping accommodation.
Etymology: OE slep, sl{aelig}p (n.), slepan, sl{aelig}pan (v.) f. Gmc