Emily Dickinson Lexicon

sleep (-s, -ing, slept), v. [OE slápan.] (webplay: awake, dead, heavy, lay, live, night, rafter, rest, state, strength, time).

1. Rest; lie down; [fig.] remain dead; stay lifeless; continue to be buried underground awaiting the resurrection.
2. Recline; repose; [fig.] lie still; maintain a dormant state as a plant.
3. Slumber; lie down with closed eyes; rest in a state of suspended animation.
4. Phrase. “go/went to sleep”: nap; slumber.
5. Phrase. “go/gone to sleep”: die; expire; change from this life to the next.
6. Phrase. “lay to sleep”: inter; bury in the ground after death; [fig.] cover a plant with dirt at the end of the growing season.
7. Phrase. “go to sleep”: lose consciousness; slip into a coma.