German

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Etymology

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From Middle High German siben slāfære, referring to the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. Univerbation since the 15th century. Use for “one who sleeps a lot” since the 17th century. The biological sense since the 18th century because of the animal's hibernation, which may last more than seven months.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈziːbənˌʃlɛːfər/, [ˈziː.bm̩ˌʃlɛː.fɐ], [-ˌʃleː-]
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

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Siebenschläfer m (strong, genitive Siebenschläfers, plural Siebenschläfer, feminine Siebenschläferin)

  1. (biology) edible dormouse
  2. (Christianity, mythology) (one of) the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus
  3. (Christianity, also meteorology) Seven Sleepers Day, June 27
    Synonym: Siebenschläfertag
  4. (figurative) sleepyhead, one who sleeps a lot or rises late
    Synonyms: Schlafmütze, Langschläfer

Declension

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Further reading

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