adjective
vegetative
Involving basic bodily functions without conscious activity.
A patient in a vegetative state breathes but shows no awareness.
Etymology
The older concept concerns growth and basic life. Medical usage applies it to bodily functions that continue without conscious direction.
More examples
- Vegetative functions such as digestion continue without conscious control.
- The injury leaves him in a persistent vegetative state.
- Doctors assess awareness before diagnosing a vegetative state.
Forms
vegetative
Similar words
- unconscious
- Describes lack of awareness, including temporary states such as fainting.
- comatose
- Describes deep unconsciousness without the wakeful periods of vegetative states.