1a person or animal who is asleep or who sleeps in a specified way:he was a light sleeper, for long periods an insomniac
2a thing used for or connected with sleeping, in particular:
a train carrying sleeping cars:we were waiting for the Inverness-London sleeper [as modifier]:a sleeper train
a sleeping car, or a berth in one.
informal a sleeping pill:he gave me tranquillizers in addition to the sleepers I was already on
(usually sleepers) chiefly North American a sleepsuit for a baby or small child.
North American a sofa or chair that converts into a bed.
3a film, book, play, etc. that eventually achieves unexpected success after initially attracting very little attention:this low-budget, black-and-white American sleeper concerns two brothers [as modifier]: it became one of the sleeper hits of the year
an antique whose true value goes unrecognized for some time:photographed after it proved to be a sleeper, this Regency table took £8,600 instead of £1,500 as anticipated
(also sleeper agent) a secret agent who remains inactive for a long period while establishing a secure position:a KGB plot to uncover his sleepers
4British a ring or post worn in a pierced ear to keep the hole from closing.
5British a wooden or concrete beam laid transversely under railway track to support it.
6a stocky fish with mottled coloration which occurs widely in warm seas and fresh water.
Dormitator and other genera, family Gobiidae (or Eleotridae): many species. See also cockabully
Dormitator and other genera, family Gobiidae (or Eleotridae): many species. See also cockabully
