A German term for prolonged continuous sleep, especially referring to a psychiatric or medical condition of extended sleep lasting for abnormally long periods.
From German 'dauer' (duration, lasting quality) plus 'schlaf' (sleep). Compound literally means 'duration sleep' or 'long sleep', used in German medicine for sleep disorders.
In 1920s Germany, 'dauerschlaf' (sleep therapy) was actually used as psychiatric treatment before drugs existed—doctors would sedate patients to sleep for days, thinking rest would cure mental illness!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.