dictionary definitions for "sleeping"


From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:

  sleeping
      adj : lying with head on paws as if sleeping [syn: {dormant(ip)}]
      n 1: the state of being asleep [ant: waking]
      2: quiet and inactive restfulness [syn: quiescence,
         quiescency, dormancy]
      3: the suspension of consciousness and decrease in metabolic
         rate

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Sleep \Sleep\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Slept; p. pr. & vb. n.
     Sleeping.] [OE. slepen, AS. sl?pan; akin to OFries. sl?pa,
     OS. sl[=a]pan, D. slapen, OHG. sl[=a]fan, G. schlafen, Goth.
     sl?pan, and G. schlaff slack, loose, and L. labi to glide,
     slide, labare to totter. Cf. Lapse.]
     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 slumber. --Chaucer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Watching at the head of these that sleep. --Milton.
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     2. Figuratively:
        (a) To be careless, inattentive, or uncouncerned; not to
            be vigilant; to live thoughtlessly.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  We sleep over our happiness.      --Atterbury.
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        (b) To be dead; to lie in the grave.
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                  Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring
                  with him.                         --1 Thess. iv.
                                                    14.
            [1913 Webster]
        (c) To be, or appear to be, in repose; to be quiet; to be
            unemployed, unused, or unagitated; to rest; to lie
            dormant; as, a question sleeps for the present; the
            law sleeps.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  How sweet the moonlight sleep upon this bank!
                                                    --Shak.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Sleeping \Sleep"ing\,
     a. & n. from Sleep.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Sleeping car, a railway car or carrriage, arranged with
        apartments and berths for sleeping.
  
     Sleeping partner (Com.), a dormant partner. See under
        Dormant.
  
     Sleeping table (Mining), a stationary inclined platform on
        which pulverized ore is washed; a kind of buddle.
        [1913 Webster]


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