A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

COMA

Tue, 9 Apr '24
Food ___ (post-meal state)
Sun, 10 Dec '23
Plot device for many a soap opera
Fri, 8 Dec '23
1977 best-selling novel set in a hospital
Thu, 25 May '23
Food ___
Tue, 25 Apr '23
Unconscious state
Wed, 10 Feb '21
Out-of-it state