Somnambulist: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from Latin, where 'somnus' means sleep and 'ambulare' means to walk.
• It entered the English language in the early 19th century, highlighting the fascination with sleep disorders.

Psychology

• Sleepwalking usually occurs during the deep stages of sleep, not during dreams when we're in the REM stage.
• It is more common in children than in adults, often linked to genetics or stress.
• Factors such as sleep deprivation, alcohol consumption, and certain medications can increase the chances of sleepwalking.

Pop Culture

• Somnambulism has been featured in various films, such as 'The Sleepwalker' exploring the eerie nature of sleepwalking.
• The character of 'Sleepwalker' in Marvel Comics represents someone who operates both in the dream world and reality, embodying aspects of somnambulism.

Medical Insights

• In medical terms, somnambulism is classified as a parasomnia, which refers to abnormal movements or behaviors during sleep.
• About 10% of children are estimated to experience sleepwalking episodes at least once during their childhood.
• While most people outgrow the condition, some adults may still experience sleepwalking and can benefit from lifestyle adjustments.

Literature

• Famous literary works often reference sleepwalking as a metaphor for confusion or a lack of control, such as in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
• In Edgar Allan Poe's stories, characters often embody traits of somnambulism to portray themes of madness and dreams.

Ranking #36,421, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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• 36418 vivify
• 36419 cretin
• 36420 shrivelling
• 36421 somnambulist
• 36422 effervescing
• 36423 hunky
• 36424 oversimplifying
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