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English
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Etymology
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From the past participle of nim(“to take”). Compare Germanbenommen(“dazed, numb”) and Old Norsenuminn. The final ⟨b⟩ is a later addition; it was never pronounced, and did not appear in the original word.
Pronunciation
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enPR: nŭm, IPA(key): /nʌm/
Audio (Southern England):
(file)
Rhymes: -ʌm
Adjective
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numb (comparative number, superlative numbest)
Physically unable to feel, not having the power of sensation. Synonyms:deadened, insensible, nervelessfingers numb with coldlegs numb from kneeling
Emotionally unable to feel or respond in a normal way. Synonym:stunnednumb with shock; numb with boredom
1915, Nellie McClung, chapter 2, in In Times Like These[1], Toronto: McLeod & Allen:[…] 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.
1966, Truman Capote, In Cold Blood[2], New York: Modern Library, published 1992, Part One, p. 77:[…] seeing the dog—somehow that made me feel again. I’d been too dazed, too numb, to feel the full viciousness of it.
2016, Julian Barnes, The Noise of Time[3], Random House Canada, Part Three:[…] he submitted […] as a traitor, his mind numb with vodka, submits to a firing squad.
(Maine) Dumb or stupid.
(obsolete) Causing numbness.
c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third:[…]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies[…] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:[…] he did lap meEven in his own garments, and gave himself,All thin and naked to the numb cold night.
numb (third-person singular simple present numbs, present participle numbing, simple past and past participle numbed)
(transitive) To cause to become numb (physically or emotionally). Synonym:benumbThe dentist gave me novocaine to numb my tooth before drilling, thank goodness.When I first heard the news, I was numbed by the shock.
1600 or 1601 (date written), I. M. [i.e., John Marston], “The Prologue”, in Antonios Reuenge. The Second Part.[…], London: […][Richard Bradock] for Thomas Fisher, and are to be soulde [by Matthew Lownes][…], published 1602, →OCLC, signature A2, recto:The ravviſh danke of clumzie vvinter ramps / The fluent ſummers vaine: and drizling ſleete / Chilleth the vvan bleak cheek of the numd earth, / VVhilſt ſnarling guſts nibble the iuyceles leaues, / From the nak't ſhuddring branch; […]An adjective use.
2020 April 22, “Letters: Open Access: Not easy for laptops”, in Rail, page 31:But her main concern is the hard seating that numbs the nether regions.
(transitive) To cause (a feeling) to be less intense. Synonym:dullHe turned to alcohol to numb his pain.
1861, Elizabeth Gaskell, “The Grey Woman”, in The Grey Woman and Other Tales[4], London: Smith, Elder & Co.:[I was] thankful for the pain, which helped to numb my terror.
(transitive) To cause (the mind, faculties, etc.) to be less acute. Synonym:dull
1912, Saki, “The Hounds of Fate”, in The Chronicles of Clovis[5], London: John Lane, page 219:[…] hunger, fatigue, and despairing hopelessness had numbed his brain […]
1927, Hugh Lofting, Doctor Dolittle’s Garden[6], Part Four, Chapter 6: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.
2004, Cory Doctorow, chapter 13, in Eastern Standard Tribe[7]:[The sofa] exhaled a breath of trapped ancient farts, barf-smell, and antiseptic, the parfum de asylum that gradually numbed my nose to all other scents on the ward.
(intransitive) To become numb (especially physically).
1918, Lewis R. Freeman, “Wonders of the Teleferica”, in Many Fronts[8], London: John Murray, page 270:[…] after fumbling with numbing fingers for ten or fifteen minutes, he waved his hand with a gesture of despair […]
1919, Arthur Murray Chisholm, chapter 18, in The Land of Strong Men[9], New York: H.K. Fly:[…] 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.
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