What does the word sleeper mean, and to whom does it refer? This is what we will see in this article.
Also read: Sleep Smarter: 19 Tips To Improve Your Sleep For Life
Let’s dive in.
Etymology Of The Word Sleeper
The word sleeper comes from the Latin verb “dormire” which means “to sleep”. It was introduced into French in the Middle Ages and has retained its original meaning until today.
In Latin, “dormire” is formed from two elements: “dorm-” which means “to sleep”, and -ire,” which is a suffix used to form verbs. The word sleeper therefore has an etymology linked to the idea of sleeping or resting.
Several Meanings
The word sleeper can have several different meanings depending on the context in which it is used.
A person who sleeps, or who tends to sleep a lot
The word sleeper can be used to describe a person who is sleepy, or who has the habit of sleeping heavily. For example, you can say “My brother is a real sleeper, he can sleep for hours without waking up.” This meaning is related to the idea of rest and sleep, and refers to a person who needs plenty of sleep to be fit and healthy.
A Thing That Is Inactive Or Dormant
The word sleeper can also be used to describe something that is inactive or dormant.
For example, you can say, “The volcano is considered a sleeper because it has not erupted for hundreds of years.”
In this case, the word sleeper is used to describe a natural phenomenon that is dormant, that is, has not shown signs of activity recently.
This meaning is related to the idea of rest and sleep and refers to something that does not move or do anything.
In some cases, the word sleeper can also be used to describe something that is hidden or buried, such as treasure buried underground.
Something That Is Hidden Or Buried
The word sleeper can also be used to describe something that is hidden or buried. For example, one can say, “The treasure is a sleeper, as it has been buried underground for centuries.”
In this case, the word sleeper is used to describe something that is hidden or buried and may be difficult to find or reach.
This meaning is related to the idea of hiding something so that it is not visible or easily accessible. For example, buried treasure can be considered a sleeper because it is hidden and hard to find.
The Word Sleeper In Finance
In finance, a sleeper can refer to a person who owns shares in a company without being an active shareholder.
For example, you can say, “The investment fund bought Sleepers to increase its stake in the company.”
In this case, the word sleeper is used to describe a person who owns stock in a company but does not have influence over the decisions of that company.
This meaning is related to the field of finance and business and refers to a person who is a passive shareholder of a corporation.
What And Who Does The Word Sleeper Refer To?
The Sleeper Of The Valley
Le Dormeur du Val is a poem by Arthur Rimbaud written in 1872.
It is a symbolic poem that tells the story of a soldier who sleeps peacefully in the valley, or rather, who dies, ignoring the horrors of war that surround it.
The poem focuses on the beauty of nature and the peace it offers, contrasted with the violence and destruction caused by war.
Walt Disney’s Sleeper
In the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the Seven Dwarfs are secondary characters. They are miners who live in a small house in the forest.
They have names that match their personalities and physical characteristics, such as:
- Teacher,
- Grumpy,
- Simple,
- Happy,
- Shy,
- Sleeper,
- Atchoum.
They take care of Snow White after she runs away from the Evil Queen and become her friends. You will have guessed him as a sleeper, the one who yawns all the time and spends his time sleeping.
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