vegetative state
[/ˈvɛdʒətətɪv steɪt/]
nounpl: vegetative states
estado vegetativo
1. A condition of severe brain damage in which a person is awake but shows no signs of awareness of themselves or their surroundings, and cannot be aroused by external stimuli
After the accident, the patient remained in a vegetative state for several months.
Após o acidente, o paciente permaneceu em estado vegetativo por vários meses.
2. A state of minimal consciousness where basic bodily functions continue but cognitive function is absent or severely impaired
The family had to make difficult decisions regarding their loved one in a vegetative state.
A família teve que tomar decisões difíceis sobre seu ente querido em estado vegetativo.
This term is primarily used in medical and legal contexts in both Brazil and the USA. In the United States, it has significant ethical and legal implications, particularly regarding end-of-life decisions and right-to-die cases (notably the case of Karen Ann Quinlan and Terri Schiavo). In Brazil, similar ethical debates occur within healthcare institutions and families, though they may be influenced by stronger Catholic values. The term is sensitive and formal, rarely used in casual conversation.
Related Idioms & Phrases
to be in a vegetative state
to slip into a vegetative state
to emerge from a vegetative state
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