coma

Pronunciation: /ˈkoʊmə/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a state of deep and often prolonged unconsciousness; usually the result of disease or injury
  2. noun (botany) a usually terminal tuft of bracts (as in the pineapple) or tuft of hairs (especially on certain seeds)
  3. noun (astronomy) the luminous cloud of particles surrounding the frozen nucleus of a comet; forms as the comet approaches the sun and is warmed

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek κῶμα (kôma, “deep sleep”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

comatoseness

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
unconsciousness
Narrower (hyponyms)
hepatic coma, diabetic coma

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