semicoma

9.6

A state of being partly unconscious that a person wakes from with a strong touch or sound

noun
/ˈsɛmɪˌkoʊmə/

Specialized

: semicoma

He was in a semicoma after the accident.

Examples

The patient was in a semicoma following the accident but responded to loud sounds.
Doctors monitored her closely while she remained in a semicoma for several days.
He emerged from the semicoma as the effects of the medication began to wear off.
Doctors reported that she was recovering from a semicoma.
After the accident, he remained in a semicoma for several days before regaining consciousness.
The doctor explained that she was in a semicoma, responding occasionally to strong stimuli.
Despite being in a semicoma, he could still occasionally hear voices calling his name.

Synonyms

semiconsciousness

vssemicoma

7.7

A state of being partly awake and not fully aware of your surroundings

is a more impaired state only roused by strong physical stimuli

half-consciousness

vssemicoma

7.5

A state of being partly awake and aware of things around you

is deeper impairment and requires strong stimulation to awaken

Antonyms

consciousness

229 4.9

Being aware of something, for example a mistake or a risk

How Conscious

wakefulness

1 5.4

drowsiness

6 1.8

semicoma

Specialized

9.6

stupor

Specialized

17 7.7

coma

Specialized

259 5.4

Surface Forms

semicoma singular

semicomas plural

Morphology

semicoma = coma (transparent) = semi + coma

The meaning is directly compositional: 'semi-' indicates partiality and 'coma' supplies the base notion of unconsciousness.

Etymology

Semicoma comes from the parts semi- meaning 'half' and coma meaning 'deep sleep' or 'unconsciousness', so it literally means 'half-unconscious'. That's why someone in a semicoma is only partly in a coma and can often be woken by loud sounds or a strong touch.