寝る vs. 眠る, what's the real difference?


What's the real, definite difference between [寝]{ね}る and [眠]{ねむ}る?

I know they both mean " _sleep_ ", but also that each carries some additional
(sometimes, figurative) meanings.

Where do the meanings overlap? In what scenarios are they interchangeable?




> 寝{ね}る

go to bed, be in bed.  
Does not imply you sleep, since you could be listening to the radio, watching
TV…  
毎日11時に寝ます。

> 眠{ねむ}る

to sleep, not be awake.  
Physiological state.  
毎日何時に眠っているか当然分からない！




> 寝{ね}る

go to bed, be in bed.  
Does not imply you sleep, since you could be listening to the radio, watching
TV…  
毎日11時に寝ます。

> 眠{ねむ}る

to sleep, not be awake.  
Physiological state.  
毎日何時に眠っているか当然分からない！

