Definition of comatose

The word "comatose" has its roots in ancient Greek medicine. The term is derived from the Greek words "koma," meaning "sleep," and "statos," meaning "standing" or "staying." In the 16th century, the term "coma" was used to describe a deep sleep or a state of unconsciousness. The suffix "-ose" is added to create the adjective "comatose," which means "characterized by a deep, insensate sleep, or a state of unconsciousness, often accompanied by loss of reflexes and response to stimuli." The term has been used in English since the 17th century and has since become a standard part of medical terminology. The word "comatose" is often used to describe patients who are in a deep, persistent vegetative state, and require medical care and treatment.