somnolence

Everyday

1. (formal) Sleepiness; the feeling of being drowsy and heavy, ready to fall asleep. tree →
2. (literary) A sleepy, very quiet state of a place. tree →

In the lessons

A stiff, formal word: doctors write «somnolence» on reports, and novelists describe «the somnolence of a hot afternoon». In everyday talk people just say «sleepiness» or «drowsiness». Medicine labels may warn that a drug causes somnolence, meaning do not drive.

Examples

• A warm room and a long talk filled the class with somnolence. tree →
• The medicine may cause somnolence, so don't operate machines. tree →
• The village lay in the somnolence of a summer afternoon. tree →
• The doctor noted the patient's somnolence. tree →
• After the big lunch, a pleasant somnolence crept over Grandad. tree →
• A strange somnolence fell over the castle in the fairy tale. tree →

Note

Uncountable; formal. Adjective: «somnolent». From Latin «somnus» (sleep), like «insomnia» (not being able to sleep).