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narcosis

noun
nar·​co·​sis | \ när-ˈkō-səs How to pronounce narcosis (audio) \
plural narcoses\ när-​ˈkō-​ˌsēz How to pronounce narcoses (audio) \

Definition of narcosis

: a state of stupor, unconsciousness, or arrested activity produced by the influence of narcotics or other chemical or physical agents — compare nitrogen narcosis

Examples of narcosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Even experts risk equipment failures, insufficient decompression, and the dangerous confusion induced by nitrogen narcosis. — Nick Romeo, National Geographic, "How Archaeologists Discovered 23 Shipwrecks in 22 Days," 11 July 2016

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

First Known Use of narcosis

1671, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for narcosis

New Latin, from Greek narkōsis, action of benumbing, from narkoun

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Time Traveler for narcosis

The first known use of narcosis was in 1671

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More Definitions for narcosis

narcosis

noun
nar·​co·​sis | \ när-ˈkō-səs How to pronounce narcosis (audio) \
plural narcoses\ -​ˌsēz How to pronounce narcoses (audio) \

Medical Definition of narcosis

: a state of stupor, unconsciousness, or arrested activity produced by the influence of narcotics or other chemicals or physical agents — see nitrogen narcosis

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with narcosis

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