sleeper

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a rester who is sleeping
  2. noun a spy or saboteur or terrorist planted in an enemy country who lives there as a law-abiding citizen until activated by a prearranged signal
  3. noun an unexpected achiever of success

Etymology

From Middle English sleper, equivalent to sleep + -er.

In classic literature

Synonyms

slumberer

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