zeitgeber

See also: Zeitgeber

English

Etymology

From German Zeitgeber, from Zeit (“time”) + Geber (“giver”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈtsʌɪtɡeɪbə/, /ˈzʌɪtɡeɪbə/

Noun

zeitgeber (plural zeitgebers or zeitgeber)

1. (physiology) A rhythmically occurring cue given by the environment, such as a change in light or temperature, to reset the internal body clock. [from 20th c.]
   • 2017, Matthew Walker, Why We Sleep, Penguin, published 2018, page 18:

     Thus, while light is the most reliable and thus the primary zeitgeber, there are many factors that can be used in addition to, or in the absence of, daylight.