Characterized by a heavy snoring or gasping sound, typically associated with difficult breathing.
synonyms:snoringgaspingThe word 'stertorous' comes from the Latin 'stertor', meaning 'to snore'. It has been used in English since the mid-19th century, primarily in medical contexts.
This term is mainly used in medical or clinical settings to describe specific types of breathing sounds, making it less common in everyday conversation.
While 'stertorous' is recognized in medical and clinical language, it is not frequently encountered in daily life conversations.
The patient was found to be in a stertorous state, prompting immediate medical attention.
During the sleep study, the technician noted the stertorous breathing patterns of the subject.
After the strenuous workout, his stertorous breaths echoed through the gym as he struggled to catch his breath.
The word 'stertorous' may sound a bit daunting, but it simply describes a rather loud and labored way of breathing, often resembling snoring. Originating from the Latin term for 'snore', this adjective is frequently used in medical contexts, particularly when assessing a patient’s respiratory condition. Though not a term you'll likely hear in casual conversation, its usage can vividly describe the sounds made during sleep or distress. So next time you hear someone snoring, you might just impress your friends by calling it a stertorous sound!