ondine's curse

English - English

Definition of ondine's curse in English English dictionary

A medical condition marked by malfunction of the nerves that control involuntary body functions, causing breathing to require conscious effort and therefore meaning patients will die if they fall asleep

Etymology

() From the German nymph Undine/ French water nymph, Ondine (onde is French for wave). In one version of the myth, her husband promised his every breath to her; and when she found he had committed adultery, she cursed him that so long as he was awake he could breathe, but if he ever fell asleep he would stop breathing and die.