gork

Meanings

Noun

• A terminal patient whose brain is nonfunctional and the rest of whose body can be kept functioning only by the extensive use of mechanical devices and nutrient solutions.
• A stuporous or imbecilic patient; a patient who has lost brain function.
• A despised person; dork, geek, jerk.

Verb

• To sedate a patient heavily.

Origin

• 1970–75; perhaps back-formation from gorked (slang), meaning "anesthetized"; apparently an expressive coinage.