torpid Hear it!

torpid Definition

tor·pid (tôr′pid)

adjective

    1. having lost temporarily all or part of the power of sensation or motion, as a hibernating animal; dormant
    2. sluggish in functioning
  2. slow and dull; apathetic

Etymology: L torpidus < torpere, to be numb or torpid < IE *(s)terp- < base *(s)ter-, to be stiff > stare, starve

torpid Related Forms

tor·pid′·ity noun or tor′·pid·ness tor′·pidly adverb

torpid Synonyms

torpid

modif.

  1. Inactive

    dormant, motionless, inert; see idle 1, latent.

  2. Apathetic

    heavy, sluggish, drowsy; see dull 3.

torpid Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • state: Funny, I find separating the two one of the biggest reasons for the torpid state of the Church today.
  • conscience: Howells hastily sent a line to say that he had been sleeping " The sleep of a torpid conscience.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: In times of shortage, dormice will eat insects and are able to become torpid.
  • lie: Once more that steady pull began, and once more I lay torpid a century of dragging seconds till my breast was naked again.