Sleep \Sleep\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Slept; p. pr. & vb. n.
Sleeping.] [OE. slepen, AS. sl?pan; akin to OFries. sl?pa,
OS. sl[=a]pan, D. slapen, OHG. sl[=a]fan, G. schlafen, Goth.
sl?pan, and G. schlaff slack, loose, and L. labi to glide,
slide, labare to totter. Cf. Lapse.]
1. To take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of
the powers of the body and mind, and an apathy of the
organs of sense; to slumber. --Chaucer.
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Watching at the head of these that sleep. --Milton.
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2. Figuratively:
(a) To be careless, inattentive, or uncouncerned; not to
be vigilant; to live thoughtlessly.
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We sleep over our happiness. --Atterbury.
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(b) To be dead; to lie in the grave.
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Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring
with him. --1 Thess. iv.
14.
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(c) To be, or appear to be, in repose; to be quiet; to be
unemployed, unused, or unagitated; to rest; to lie
dormant; as, a question sleeps for the present; the
law sleeps.
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How sweet the moonlight sleep upon this bank!
--Shak.
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