Definition

A loud, heavy breathing sound that resembles snoring, often occurring during sleep or due to a blockage in the airway.

Example

The patient was making a stertor, which worried the nurse about his breathing condition.

Conversation

Did you hear that loud stertor coming from Mark last night?

Yeah, it was hard to ignore!

I thought he might be having a nightmare or something.

I know, right? I've never heard someone snore like that before!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Stertor is derived from the Latin word "stertor" (meaning snoring or heavy breathing), which is related to the verb "sternere" (meaning to spread out or lay down). The word describes a sound made during sleep, often associated with difficulty in breathing.

Memory Tip

Think of the Latin word for snoring, 'stertor', which helps you remember that stertor refers to the sound of heavy breathing or snoring.

Visually Confused Words