Coma, n.
Etymology: [NL., fr. Gr. Cemetery.]
A state of profound insensibility from which it is difficult or impossible to rouse a person. See Carus.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Coma, n.
1. (Astron.)
The envelope of a comet; a nebulous covering, which surrounds the nucleus or body of a comet.
2. (Bot.)
A tuft or bunch, -- as the assemblage of branches forming the head of a tree; or a cluster of brachts when empty and terminating the inflorescence of a plant; or a tuft of long hairs on certain seeds. Coma Berenices ( Etym: [L.] (Astron.), a small constellation north of Virgo; -- called also Berenice's Hair.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for coma; he lists it under stupor.
Where he writes about it:
Coma is a deep, abnormal sleep, from which the patient can not be aroused, or is aroused only with difficulty, a state of profound insensibility, perhaps with full pulse and deep, stertorous breathing, and is due to brain-oppression. — from stupor
Synonyms
Antonyms
none given