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night terror
noun
: a sudden awakening in dazed terror that occurs in children during slow-wave sleep, is often preceded by a sudden shrill cry uttered in sleep, and is not remembered when the child awakes
—usually used in plural
Examples of night terror in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Germanic nightmare fae, the Alp, causes night terrors by sitting in the chest of a sleeping human.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Most children don't even remember having had night terrors.
—Lori Miller Kase, Parents, 30 Oct. 2024
The creepiest part may have been when their 8-year-old daughter started experiencing sudden night terrors and bouts of sleepwalking.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
Rainy’s night terrors returned, with recurring dreams of her adoptive father dying.
—Hannah Bassett, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1889, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near night terror
Cite this Entry
“Night terror.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/night%20terror. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
Medical Definition
night terror
noun
night ter·ror
-ˈter-ər
: a sudden awakening in dazed terror that occurs in children during slow-wave sleep, is often preceded by a sudden shrill cry uttered in sleep, and is not remembered when the child awakes
—usually used in plural
called also pavor nocturnus
More from Merriam-Webster on night terror
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about night terror
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