narcolepsy

noun

nar·​co·​lep·​sy ˈnär-kə-ˌlep-sē 

plural narcolepsies

: a condition characterized by brief attacks of deep sleep often occurring with cataplexy and hypnagogic hallucinations

narcoleptic

ˌnär-kə-ˈlep-tik 

adjective

Examples of narcolepsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sleep attacks and cataplexy are signs of narcolepsy, but not hypersomnia. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 3 May 2025

There’s a strong association between narcolepsy and sleep paralysis.3 2. —Sanja Jelic, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to allow adults with narcolepsy to adjust their work routines. —Karen Berger, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2024

The drugs are most often prescribed to treat A.D.H.D., but they’re also used for conditions like narcolepsy or a binge eating disorder. —Christina Caron, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French narcolepsie, from narco- narco- + -lepsie -lepsy

Note: The French word was introduced by the physician and neurologist Jean-Baptiste Gélineau in "De la narcolepsie," Gazette des hôpitaux civils et militaires, 53e année, no. 76 (1er juillet 1880), p. 626: "Je propose de donner le nom de narcolepsie (de νάρκωσις, somnolence, et λαμβάνειν, saisir, prendre) à une névrose rare ou du moins peu connue jusqu'à ce jour, caractérisée par un besoin de dormir impérieux, subit et de courte durée, se reproduisant à des intervalles plus ou moins rapprochées." ("I propose to give the name narcolepsy (from nárkōsis, drowsiness, and lambánein, to seize, take) to a neurosis that is rare, or at least little known up to now, characterized by a pressing urge to sleep, sudden and of short duration, reoccurring in more or less close succession.")

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for narcolepsy

• catalepsy
• epilepsy

Medical Definition

narcolepsy

noun

nar·​co·​lep·​sy ˈnär-kə-ˌlep-sē 

plural narcolepsies

: a condition characterized by brief attacks of deep sleep often occurring with cataplexy and hypnagogic hallucinations compare hypersomnia sense 2