monophasic

[ mon-uh-fey-zik ]

adjective

1. having one phase.

Word History and Origins

Origin of monophasic¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; mono- + phase + -ic

Example Sentences

For Siegel and his collaborators, these results show that modern, monophasic sleeping is a return to traditional patterns seen among the hunter-gatherers.

From National Geographic

Until recently, humans were believed to be among the minority of species—including most primates—that are strictly monophasic sleepers.

From National Geographic

Though our earliest societies may have been monophasic sleepers, Ekrich found records of segmented sleep dating back to Homer’s Odyssey, published in the late 8th or early 7th century B.C.

From National Geographic

This contrasts with monophasic sleep patterns where pressure builds to a maximum during wakefulness and this sleep pressure is then reduced during sleep.

From Salon

In evolutionary terms, polyphasic animals are the most common, whereas monophasic animals have evolved more recently.

From Salon