sleeping sickness

[ slee-ping sik-nis ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. Also called African sleeping sickness,. a generally fatal disease, common in parts of Africa, characterized by fever, wasting, and progressive lethargy: caused by a parasitic protozoan, Trypanosoma gambiense or T. rhodesiense, that is carried by a tsetse fly, Glossina palpalis.
2. Also called epidemic encephalitis,. a viral disease affecting the brain, characterized by apathy, sleepiness, extreme muscular weakness, and impairment of vision.

sleeping sickness

noun

1. Also calledAfrican sleeping sickness an African disease caused by infection with protozoans of the genus Trypanosoma, characterized by fever, wasting, and sluggishness
2. Also called (esp formerly)sleepy sickness an epidemic viral form of encephalitis characterized by extreme drowsiness Technical nameencephalitis lethargica

sleeping sickness

/ slē′pĭng /

1. An often fatal protozoan infection prevalent in tropical Africa, caused by either of two trypanosomes spread by the bite of the tsetse fly and characterized by fever and extreme lethargy.
2. Encephalitis that is caused by any of various viruses and is characterized by lethargy and extreme muscular weakness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sleeping sickness¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The sleeping sickness came along as a sort of sophisticated solution to a problem.

From Nautilus

They hadn’t chosen to leave the town, but the sleeping sickness had made the decision for them.

From Nautilus

"Sleeping sickness" is a late stage when the organisms have invaded the cerebrospinal fluid.

From Project Gutenberg

While in Nairobi we visited the little station where experiments are being made in the "sleeping sickness."

From Project Gutenberg

These districts have been known for a number of years, long before the sleeping sickness became known.

From Project Gutenberg

It was strange that this man, who never could have closed his eyes again, should have been stricken down by the sleeping sickness.

From Project Gutenberg

Anyway, I am going to cure her of the sleeping sickness, even if I have to invest in a blacksnake whip.

From Project Gutenberg