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, adjectiveWords nearby numb
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, nounWord 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.