narcolepsy

noun

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nar·co·lep·sy | \ ˈnär-kə-ˌlep-sē

plural narcolepsies

Definition of narcolepsy

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

Other Words from narcolepsy Example Sentences Learn More About narcolepsy

Examples of narcolepsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web People with narcolepsy may turn to caffeine in an attempt to stay awake during the day. — Sarah Fielding, Health.com, 6 Dec. 2021 The breakthrough designation for AXS-12 being revoked was for cataplexy as a condition in narcolepsy. — Trefis Team, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021 There are two primary forms of narcolepsy, types 1 and 2. — Sarah Fielding, Health.com, 6 Dec. 2021 Captagon was originally manufactured by a German pharmaceutical company as a stimulant to treat attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy. — New York Times, 5 Dec. 2021 The breakthrough designation for AXS-12 being revoked was for cataplexy as a condition in narcolepsy. — Trefis Team, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021 The breakthrough designation for AXS-12 being revoked was for cataplexy as a condition in narcolepsy. — Trefis Team, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021 The breakthrough designation for AXS-12 being revoked was for cataplexy as a condition in narcolepsy. — Trefis Team, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021 There are a few theories on what causes narcolepsy. — Sarah Fielding, Health.com, 3 Nov. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'narcolepsy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for narcolepsy

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.")