noctambulist

noun

noct·​am·​bu·​list näk-ˈtam-byə-list How to pronounce noctambulist (audio)
: a person who walks while asleep : sleepwalker

Word History

Etymology

New Latin noctambulus "sleepwalker" (earlier noctambulō, with -ōn-, -ō, agent suffix, from Latin noct-, nox night entry 1 + -ambul-, noun derivative of ambulāre "to walk") + -ist entry 1 — more at amble entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1731, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of noctambulist was circa 1731

Dictionary Entries Near noctambulist

Cite this Entry

“Noctambulist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noctambulist. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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