Persistent vegetative state
noun
1.
(med) an irreversible condition, resulting from brain damage, characterized by lack of consciousness, thought, and feeling, although reflex activities (such as breathing) continue PVS
noun
a condition of unresponsiveness to mental and physical stimuli and no sign of higher brain function, wherein the patient is kept alive through medical intervention
Usage Note
medicine
Read Also:
- Persisting
[per-sist, -zist] /pərˈsɪst, -ˈzɪst/ verb (used without object) 1. to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition, remonstrance, etc.: to persist in working for world peace; to persist in unpopular political activities. 2. to last or endure tenaciously: The legend of King Arthur […]
- Persistive
[per-sist, -zist] /pərˈsɪst, -ˈzɪst/ verb (used without object) 1. to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition, remonstrance, etc.: to persist in working for world peace; to persist in unpopular political activities. 2. to last or endure tenaciously: The legend of King Arthur […]
- Persnickety
[per-snik-i-tee] /pərˈsnɪk ɪ ti/ adjective, Informal. 1. overparticular; fussy. 2. snobbish or having the aloof attitude of a snob. 3. requiring painstaking care. /pəˈsnɪkɪtɪ/ adjective 1. the US word for pernickety adj. 1889, alteration of pernickety (q.v.). adjective Overfastidious; finical; fussy [first form 1905+, second 1814+; fr Scots dialect]
- Persona
[per-soh-nuh] /pərˈsoʊ nə/ noun, plural personae [per-soh-nee] /pərˈsoʊ ni/ (Show IPA), personas. 1. a person. 2. personae, the characters in a play, novel, etc. 3. the narrator of or a character in a literary work, sometimes identified with the author. 4. (in the psychology of C. G. Jung) the mask or façade presented to satisfy […]
- Personable
[pur-suh-nuh-buh l] /ˈpɜr sə nə bəl/ adjective 1. of pleasing appearance; handsome or comely; attractive. 2. having an agreeable or pleasing ; affable; amiable; sociable. /ˈpɜːsənəbəl/ adjective 1. pleasant in appearance and personality adj. “pleasing in one’s person,” early 15c., from person + -able, or else from Middle French personable. Related: Personably.