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coma¹ Definition

coma ()

noun

  1. deep, prolonged unconsciousness caused by injury or disease
  2. a condition of stupor or lethargy

Etymology: ModL < Gr kōma (gen. kōmatos), deep sleep < IE base *keme-, to grow tired > Sans śamītē, to work, prepare, Gr kamatos, fatigue, effort

coma² Definition

coma ()

noun pl. -·mae-mē

  1. Astron. a comet's gaseous cloud surrounding the solid nucleus and forming, with the nucleus, the comet's head
    1. a bunch of branches, as on the top of some palm trees
    2. a terminal cluster of bracts on a flowering stem, as in pineapples
    3. a tuft of hairs at the end of certain seeds
  2. Photog. a blur caused by the spherical aberration of oblique rays of light passing through a lens

Etymology: L, hair of the head, foliage < Gr komē, hair

coma Synonyms

coma

n.

unconsciousness, trance, insensibility, catalepsy; see stupor.

coma Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • induce: Very high doses can induce coma or unconsciousness or even death.
  • cause: An overdose can cause coma, convulsions or death.
  • include: The clinical features of excessive doses of opiates include coma of varying severity, small pupils and depressed respiration.
  • enter: Two of the men on hunger strike in Harmondsworth are entering coma.

Adjective modifier

  • hypoglycaemic: This precipitated a profound hypoglycaemic coma resulting in irreversible brain damage.
  • diabetic: He once fell into a diabetic coma on the way home, on the bus.
  • irreversible: Alternatively, should a relative be given the choice on behalf of their loved one if they fall into an irreversible coma?
  • deep: He was now in an Israeli hospital in a deep coma from which he was not likely to regain consciousness.

Modifies a noun

  • victim: Ignoring the deep psychological problems clearly in me, I did wonder whether coma victims feel like that.
  • score: She was fully conscious with a Glasgow coma score of 15.
  • scale: Review your knowledge of the Glasgow coma scale, and signs and symptoms of brain injury.
  • patient: There are enough funny bits here to liven up a coma patient.

Noun used with modifier

  • insulin: There was very little, and strictly controlled, use of ECT, and insulin coma therapy had gone for good.
  • comet: STARDUST is the culmination of more than a decade's quest for a comet coma sample return mission.

Preposition: in

  • hospital: This Year`s Girl: Faith, still in a coma in the hospital, is dreaming of being pursued by Buffy.
  • film: A leading US neurologist has decried the portrayal of comas in films as being " unrealistic " .

Preposition: for

  • month: Have you been in a coma for 3 months?
  • day: Jay suffered severe brain injuries and was in a coma for five days before doctors decided there was no hope for him.
  • year: I could have been in a coma for six years for all I knew.
  • days.: He was in a coma for 2 days. 274.

Browse dictionary entries near coma

  1. com-
  2. com
  3. colza
  4. coly
  5. colure
  6. columnist
  7. columniation
  8. column
  9. columella
  10. Columbus Day
  1. Coma Berenices
  2. comake
  3. Comanche
  4. comate
  5. comatose
  6. comatulid
  7. comb
  8. comb jelly
  9. combat
  10. combat fatigue