Dictionary
sleeping sickness
noun
: a tropical disease that causes fever, sleepiness, and usually death
Full Definition of SLEEPING SICKNESS
1
: a serious disease that is prevalent in much of tropical Africa, is marked by fever, headache, lethargy, confusion, and sleep disturbances, and is caused by either of two trypanosomes (Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense) transmitted by tsetse flies
2
: any of various viral encephalitides or encephalomyelitides of which lethargy or somnolence is a prominent feature
See sleeping sickness defined for English-language learners
See sleeping sickness defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of SLEEPING SICKNESS
1875
Rhymes with SLEEPING SICKNESS
Medical Dictionary
sleeping sickness
noun
Medical Definition of SLEEPING SICKNESS
1
: a serious disease that is prevalent in much of tropical Africa, is marked by fever, headache, protracted lethargy, confusion, sleep disturbances, tremors, and loss of weight, is caused by either of two trypanosomes (Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense), and is transmitted by tsetse flies—called also African sleeping sickness
2
: any of various viral encephalitides or encephalomyelitides of which lethargy or somnolence is a prominent feature; especially : equine encephalomyelitis
Learn More About SLEEPING SICKNESS
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: sleeping suitPrevious Word in the Dictionary: sleeping rentAll Words Near: sleeping sickness
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up sleeping sickness? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).