Lexic.us

Definition of Lethargy

1. Noun. A state of comatose torpor (as found in sleeping sickness).

2. Noun. Weakness characterized by a lack of vitality or energy.

3. Noun. Inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy. "The general appearance of sluggishness alarmed his friends"

Definition of Lethargy

1. n. Morbid drowsiness; continued or profound sleep, from which a person can scarcely be awaked.

2. v. t. To lethargize.

Definition of Lethargy

1. Noun. (pathology) A condition characterised by extreme fatigue or drowsiness, or prolonged sleep patterns. (defdate from 14th c.) ¹

2. Noun. A state of extreme torpor or apathy, especially with lack of emotion or interest; loosely, sluggishness, laziness. (defdate from 14th c.) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Lethargy

1. drowsiness; sluggishness [n -GIES]

Medical Definition of Lethargy

1. Abnormal drowsiness or stupor, a condition of indifference. Origin: Gr. Lethargia = drowsiness This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Lethargy

lethally lethals lethargic lethargic encephalitis lethargic hypnosis lethargical lethargically lethargick lethargicness lethargies

lethargize lethargized lethargizes lethargizing lethargus lethargy (current term) lethe lethean lethee lethees

letheon letheonize letheonized letheonizing lethera lethes lethied lethiferous lethologica letovicite

Literary usage of Lethargy

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Tropical diseases: A Manual of the Diseases of Warm Climates by Patrick Manson (1906)
"AFRICAN lethargy, OR THE SLEEPING SICKNESS OF THE CONGO. ... It is characterised Ity slowly increasing lethargy, and by other morbid nervous phenomena ..."

2. Anomalies and curiosities of medicine by George Milbry Gould, Walter Lytle Pyle (1901)
"Catalepsy, trance, and lethargy, lasting for days or weeks, ... In lethargy <>r trance-states the patient may be plunged into a deep and prolonged ..."

3. The Modern Horse Doctor: Containing Practical Observations on the Causes by George H. Dadd (1856)
"Gibson says, ''When a horse falls into a lethargy, he generally rests his head ... lethargy is probably only another name for sleepy staggers, (which see. ..."

4. The Republic of New Haven: A History of Municipal Evolution by Charles Herbert Levermore (1886)
"From this time onward New Haven Town shared in the lethargy that fell upon the English world during the peaceful administration of Walpole. ..."

5. English Synonymes Explained: In Alphabetical Order ; with Copious by George Crabb (1883)
"To sleep), expresses mostly a temporary state ; LETHARGIC, from lethargy, ... lethargy is a disease with which people, otherwise the most wakeful, ..."

6. The Geography of Disease by Frank Gerard Clemow (1903)
"SLEEPING SICKNESS, or NEGRO lethargy. General Characters and Etiology. Sleeping sickness or negro lethargy is a remarkable and extremely fatal ..."

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