asleep

From Middle English aslepe, equivalent to a- (“in, on”) +‎ sleep.

• IPA^(key): /əˈsliːp/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -iːp
• Hyphenation: asleep

asleep (not comparable) (predicative only)

1. In a state of sleep; also, broadly, resting.

   I was asleep when you called.

   Never disturb a man asleep.

2. (slang) Inattentive.

   How could you miss that? Were you asleep?

   • 1997, George Carlin, Brain Droppings‎^[1], New York: Hyperion Books, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, →OL, page 83:

     The reason they call it the American Dream is because you have to be asleep to believe it.

3. (of a body part) Having a numb or prickling sensation accompanied by a degree of unresponsiveness.

   My arm fell asleep. You know, like pins and needles.

   • 2003, Norma L. Bronoski, Nuns Don't Dance:

     Louisa sat in the car crying, until her foot fell asleep. She shook her foot violently, afraid the numbness would turn to frostbite.

4. (euphemistic) Dead.

• Not used in attributive position; sleeping is used instead.

  That dog is asleep. — Where is the sleeping dog?

• awake

• pins and needles

• Sapele, elapse, please, sapele