narcosis

noun

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nar·co·sis | \ när-ˈkō-səs

plural narcoses\ när-ˈkō-ˌsēz

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

Example Sentences Phrases Containing narcosis Learn More About narcosis

Examples of narcosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Because the reef was located so far down, guarding against narcosis or even states of drowsiness was vital in order to let the scientists study the reef. — Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 11 Feb. 2022 Even experts risk equipment failures, insufficient decompression, and the dangerous confusion induced by nitrogen narcosis. — Nick Romeo, National Geographic, 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.

History and Etymology for narcosis

borrowed from New Latin narcōsis, borrowed from Greek nárkōsis "benumbing," from narkō-, variant stem of narkoûn "to benumb, deaden" (verbal derivative of nárkē "numbness, lack of sensation," of uncertain origin) + -sis -sis

Note: Greek nárkē has been compared with Old High German in-snerahan "to tie up (to), link (to)," hypothetically reflecting an Indo-European verbal base *snerk- "draw together, loop around" (thus Lexikon der indogermanischen Verben, 2. Auflage, Wiesbaden, 2001; see snare entry 1), but the semantic connection is far from apparent. (The Lexikon inaccurately translates nárkē as "Krampf, Lähmung" = "cramp, paralysis.") R. Beekes (Etymological Dictionary of Greek, Brill, 2009) regards the word as most likely of pre-Greek substratal origin.

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Dictionary Entries Near narcosis

Narcomedusae

narcosis

narcostimulant

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Cite this Entry

“Narcosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narcosis. Accessed 2 Jul. 2022.

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More Definitions for narcosis

narcosis

noun

nar·co·sis | \ när-ˈkō-səs

plural narcoses\ -ˌsēz

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