numb
adjective
- (cause to) lack sensation
verb
- (cause to) lack sensation
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /nʌm/
adj
Etymology: From the past participle of nim (“to take”). Compare German benommen (“dazed, numb”) and Old Norse numinn. The final ⟨b⟩ is a later addition; it was never pronounced, and did not appear in the original word.
- Physically unable to feel, not having the power of sensation.
“fingers numb with cold”
“legs numb from kneeling”
- Emotionally unable to feel or respond in a normal way.
“numb with shock; numb with boredom”
“[…] when we know that hundreds are rendered homeless every day, and countless thousands are killed and wounded, men and boys mowed down like a field of grain, and with as little compunction, we grow a little bit numb to human misery.”
- Dumb or stupid.
- Causing numbness.
“[…] he did lap me Even in his own garments, and gave himself, All thin and naked to the numb cold night.”
verb
Etymology: From the past participle of nim (“to take”). Compare German benommen (“dazed, numb”) and Old Norse numinn. The final ⟨b⟩ is a later addition; it was never pronounced, and did not appear in the original word.
- To cause to become numb (physically or emotionally).
“The dentist gave me novocaine to numb my tooth before drilling, thank goodness.”
“When I first heard the news, I was numbed by the shock.”
- To cause (a feeling) to be less intense.
“He turned to alcohol to numb his pain.”
“[I was] thankful for the pain, which helped to numb my terror.”
- To cause (the mind, faculties, etc.) to be less acute.
“[…] hunger, fatigue, and despairing hopelessness had numbed his brain […]”
“The noise, the rush of air past our ears, was positively terrific. It actually seemed to numb the senses and make it almost impossible to take in impressions at all.”
- To become numb (especially physically).
“[…] after fumbling with numbing fingers for ten or fifteen minutes, he waved his hand with a gesture of despair […]”
“[…] once more his feet began to numb. Again he got down and stamped the circulation going, but as soon as he began to ride again they numbed.”