Sleep

v. i. [imp. & p. p. SLEPT; p. pr. & vb. n. SLEEPING.] [A-S. slæpan, slāpan, O. Sax. slāpan, O. Fries. slēpa, L. Ger. & D. slāpen, Goth. slēpan, O. H. Ger. slāfan, M. H. Ger. slāfen, N. H. Ger. schlafen; Icel. sofa, Sw. sofva, Dan. sove, Skr. svap, to sleep, Lat. sopire, to lull to sleep.]

1Sense 1. To take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind, and an apathy of the organs of sense; to become unconscious. “Watching at the head of those that sleep.” Milton.

2Sense 2. Hence, to be careless, inattentive, or unconcerned; not to be vigilant; to live thoughtlessly.

We sleep over our happiness. Atterbury.

3Sense 3. Hence, also, to be dead; to lie in the grave.

Then also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. I Thess. iv. 14.

4Sense 4. To be in repose; to be quiet; to be unemployed, unused, or unagitated; to rest; as, a question sleeps for the present.

How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank! Shak.

n. [A-S. slæp, O. Sax., L. Ger., & D. slāp, O. Fries. slēp, Goth. slēps, O. & M. H. Ger. slāp, N. H. Ger. schlaf.] A natural and healthy, but temporary and periodical, suspension of the functions of the organs of sense, as well as those of the voluntary and rational soul; that state of the animal in which the senses are more or less unaffected by external objects, and the fancy or fantasy only is active. “O sleep, thou ape of death.” Shak.

Sleep is attended by a relaxation of the muscles, and the absence of voluntary activity for any rational object or purpose. It is susceptible of greater or less intensity or completeness in its control of the powers.

Sleep of plants, a state of plants, usually at night, when their leaflets approach each other, and the flowers close and droop, or are covered by the folded leaves, as if in repose.

Synonyms—Slumber; repose; rest.