numb

[ nuhm ]
/ nʌm /

adjective, numb·er, numb·est.

deprived of physical sensation or the ability to move: fingers numb with cold.
manifesting or resembling numbness: a numb sensation.
incapable of action or of feeling emotion; enervated; prostrate: numb with grief.
lacking or deficient in emotion or feeling; indifferent: She was numb to their pleas for mercy.

verb (used with object)

to make numb.

Origin of numb

1400–50; late Middle English nome literally, taken, seized, variant of nomen, numen, Old English numen, past participle of niman to take, nim1

OTHER WORDS FROM numb

numb·ly, adverb numb·ness, noun half-numb, adjective un·numbed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for numbness

British Dictionary definitions for numbness

numb
/ (nʌm) /

adjective

deprived of feeling through cold, shock, etc
unable to move; paralysed
characteristic of or resembling numbness a numb sensation

verb (tr)

to make numb; deaden, shock, or paralyse

Derived forms of numb

numbly, adverb numbness, noun

Word Origin for numb

C15: nomen, literally: taken (with paralysis), from Old English niman to take; related to Old Norse nema, Old High German niman

Medical definitions for numbness

numb
[ nŭm ]

adj.

Being unable or only partially able to feel sensation or pain; deadened or anesthetized.
Being emotionally unresponsive; indifferent.

v.

To make or become numb.