agrypnia
Definition
Noun 1. A state of sleeplessness; insomnia. The primary medical and general meaning refers to the condition of being unable to sleep. 2. A vigil; a watch kept during normal sleeping hours. This meaning, often historical or religious, refers to a purposeful period of staying awake, such as for prayer, guard duty, or observance.
Usage
- The term is formal and technical. In modern contexts, it is most commonly used in medical or psychological fields to mean insomnia.
- The historical/religious meaning of vigil is now rare.
Examples
- Medical/General Meaning (Insomnia):
- The patient's chronic agrypnia was affecting their overall health.
- Stress and anxiety are common causes of agrypnia.
- Historical/Religious Meaning (Vigil):
- The monks observed an agrypnia on the eve of the holy feast.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used metaphorically to describe a state of intense worry or anticipation that prevents rest.
- The agrypnia of waiting for the news was worse than the news itself.
Variants and Related Words
- Agrypnotic (adjective): Causing or relating to sleeplessness.
- The agrypnotic effects of the medication were noted.
- Insomnia (noun): The much more common synonym for the sleeplessness meaning.
- Vigil (noun): The common synonym for the watchful observance meaning.
Synonyms
- For sleeplessness: Insomnia, sleeplessness, wakefulness.
- For a watch: Vigil, watch, wake.
Antonyms
- For sleeplessness: Somnolence, sleepiness, hypersonnia.
Noun
-
a vigil before certain feasts (as e.g. Easter)
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