Narcosis
/nɑːrˈkoʊsɪs/noun
A state of stupor, drowsiness, or unconsciousness, often induced by drugs or other agents.
Did you know?Narcosis comes from Greek *narkōsis*, from *narkoun* “to make numb,” a word tied to the same root behind *narcotic* and the legendary *narkē* fish that supposedly stunned prey with its shock.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*n̥k-
“likely an imitative or expressive base connected with numbness or rigidity”
Ancient Greek
Greek
narkē
“numbness, torpor; also the stingray or electric ray thought to cause numbness”
Ancient Greek
Greek
narkoun
“to make numb, benumb”
Ancient Greek
Greek
narkōsis
“a benumbing, state of numbness or stupor”
Late Latin
Latin
narcosis
“narcosis, stupor”
Modern English
English
narcosis
“drug-induced stupor or unconsciousness”