asleep, adv. and pred. a.
(əˈsliːp)
Forms: 2 an slep, 3 on slæpe, o slæpe, 3–5 on slepe, 4 on slope, 5–7 (occas. in 9) on sleep(e; 3 aslæpe, 3–6 aslepe, 4 aslape, 4–7 asleepe, 5 asslepe, 6– asleep.
[f. a prep.1 11 + sleep. In OE. on slǽpe occurs = in sleep; see Andreas 851.]
1. In a state of sleep, sleeping.
| 1154 O.E. Chron. an. 1132 He lai an slep [? and slept] in scip. c 1200 Ormin 8352 Fand himm þanne o slæpe. 1205 Lay. 1159 Heo weren on slæpe [1250 a-slepe]. 1297 R. Glouc. 547 Some abedde aslepe. c 1350 Will. Palerne 1995 My lady lis ȝit a-slape. c 1550 Cheke Matt. ix. 24 This maid is not dead but on sleep. 1611 Bible Matt. viii. 24 But he was asleepe. 1855 Bain Senses & Int. i. ii. §18 No voluntary movement is sustained when we are asleep. |
b. fig. In a state of sloth, inactivity, or quiescence; at rest; dormant, inactive, idle.
| 1590 Swinburn Testaments 280 The legacie not to be asleepe..but to be quite dead and extinguished. 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, iv. iii. 22 Their pride and mettall is asleepe. 1677 A. Yarranton England's Impr. 63 The greatest part of the Iron-works are asleep. 1775 Harris Philos. Arrangem. (1841) 375 When sense and appetite are asleep. 1819 Byron Juan i. cxlv, During this inquisition Julia's tongue Was not asleep. |
2. Into a state of sleep; esp, in the phrases to fall asleep, lull asleep, lay (bring obs.) asleep.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 7428 Þe king he sal gar fall o-slepe. c 1450 Merlin xii. 181 A-noon after she fill on slepe. 1588 Shakes. Tit. A. ii. iii. 29 A Nurses Song Of Lullabie, to bring her Babe asleepe. c 1640 Milton L'Allegro 116 By whispering winds soon lull'd asleep. 1879 Tennyson Lover's T. 16 They fall asleep Into delicious dreams. |
b. fig. Into a state of inactivity or quiescence.
| 1545 Compline in Primer, That we in sin fall not on sleepe. 1608 Hieron Wks. I. 706 Lulled a sleep in the common security of the times. 1659 Burton Diary (1828) IV. 348 The sense of the House was, that he should not speak..Mr. Jenkinson moved the same, and so it fell asleep. 1777 Watson Philip II (1793) I. viii. 292 Their apprehensions were laid asleep. 1871 M. Collins Mrq. & Merch. III. ii. 64 Don't fall asleep about this affair. |
3. fig. In (or into) the sleep of death; dead.
| 1297 R. Glouc. 279 Kyng Edred nou aslepe in oure Louerd is. 1526 Tindale 1 Cor. xv. 18 They which are fallen a slepe in Christ. 1611 Bible Acts xiii. 36 David..fell on sleepe and was laide vnto his fathers. 1875 B. Taylor Faust I. xx. 175 Thy mother's soul That fell asleep to long, long torment. |
4. transf. Of the limbs: In (or into) a state of numbness caused by continued pressure; benumbed, numb. Formerly also = Stunned.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. iii. xxi. (1495) 68 Whan a lymme is a slepe. 1547 Boorde Brev. Health §336 Stounynge of a membre of a man..He wyll saye ‘my legge or myne armes is a slepe.’ 1626 Bacon Sylva §735 Leaning long upon any part maketh it numme, and, as we call it, asleepe. 1767 Brooke Fool of Qual. (1859) I. 82 (D.) She..gave Susy such a douse on the side of the head as left her fast asleep for an hour and upward. 1879 Carpenter Mental Phys. i. ii. §41 Numbness, or diminution of Sensibility..(the hand or foot being ‘asleep’). |
5. Naut. ‘The sail filled with wind just enough for swelling or bellying out,—as contrasted with its flapping.’ Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 1867.