Asleep

adv. and pred. a. Forms: 2 an slep, 3 on slæpe, o slæpe, 3–5 on slepe, 4 on slope, 5–7 (occas. in 9) on sleep(e; 3 aslæpe, 3–6 aslepe, 4 aslape, 4–7 asleepe, 5 asslepe, 6– asleep. [f. A prep.¹ 11 + SLEEP. In OE. on slǽpe occurs = in sleep: see Andreas, 851.]

  1.  In a state of sleep, sleeping.

1154.  O. E. Chron., an. 1132. He lai an slep [? and slept] in scip.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 8352. Fand himm þanne o slæpe.

c. 1205.  Lay., 1159. Heo weren on slæpe [1250 a-slepe].

1297.  R. Glouc., 547. Some abedde aslepe.

c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 1995. My lady lis ȝit a-slape.

c. 1550.  Cheke, Matt. ix. 24. This maid is not dead but on sleep.

1611.  Bible, Matt. viii. 24. But he was asleepe.

1855.  Bain, Senses & Int., I. ii. § 18. No voluntary movement is sustained when we are asleep.

  b.  fig. In a state of sloth, inactivity or quiescence; at rest; dormant, inactive, idle.

1590.  Swinburn, Testaments, 280. The legacie not to be asleepe … but to be quite dead and extinguished.

1596.  Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., IV. iii. 22. Their pride and mettall is asleepe.

1677.  Yarranton, England’s Impr., 63. The greatest part of the Iron-works are asleep.

1775.  Harris, Philos. Arrangem. (1841), 375. When sense and appetite are asleep.

1819.  Byron, Juan, I. cxlv. During this inquisition Julia’s tongue was not asleep.

  2.  Into a state of sleep; esp. in the phrases To fall, lull, lay (bring obs.) asleep.

c. 1300.  Cursor M., 7428. Þe king he sal gar fall o-slepe.

c. 1450.  Merlin, xii. 181. A-noon after she fill on slepe.

1588.  Shaks., Tit. A., II. iii. 29. A Nurses Song Of Lullabie, to bring her Babe asleepe.

1640.  Milton, L’Allegro, 116. By whispering winds soon lull’d asleep.

1879.  Tennyson, Lover’s T., 16. They fall asleep Into delicious dreams.

  b.  fig. Into a state of inactivity or quiescence.

1545.  Compline, in Primer, That we in sin fall not on sleepe.

1608.  Hieron, Wks., I. 706. Lulled a sleep in the common security of the times.

1659.  Burton, Diary (1828), IV. 348. The sense of the House was, that he should not speak, unless there were something charged.
  Mr. Jenkinson moved the same; and so it fell asleep.

1777.  Watson, Philip II. (1793), I. VIII. 292. Their apprehensions were laid asleep.

1871.  M. Collins, Mrq. & Merch., III. ii. 64. Don’t fall asleep about this affair.

  3.  fig. In (or into) the sleep of death; dead.

1297.  R. Glouc., 279. Kyng Edred nou aslepe in oure Louerd is.

1526.  Tindale, 1 Cor. xv. 18. They which are fallen a slepe in Christ.

1611.  Bible, Acts xiii. 36. David … fell on sleepe and was laide vnto his fathers.

1875.  B. Taylor, Faust, I. xx. 175. Thy mother’s soul That fell asleep to long, long torment.

  4.  transf. Of the limbs: In (or into) a state of numbness caused by continued pressure; benumbed, numb. Formerly also = Stunned.

1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., III. xxi. (1495), 68. Whan a lymme is a slepe.

1547.  Boorde, Brev. Health, § 336. Stounynge of a membre of a man … He wyll saye ‘my legge or myne armes is a slepe.’

1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 735. Leaning long upon any part maketh it numme, and, as we call it, asleepe.

1767.  Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1859), I. 82 (D.). She … gave Susy such a douse on the side of the head as left her fast asleep for an hour and upward.

1879.  Carpenter, Mental Phys., I. ii. § 41. Numbness, or diminution of Sensibility … (the hand or foot being ‘asleep’).

  5.  Naut. ‘The sail filled with wind just enough for swelling or bellying out,—as contrasted with its flapping.’ Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., 1867.