benumb (redirected from benumbing)

be·numb  (b-nm)

tr.v. be·numbed, be·numb·ing, be·numbs

1. To make numb, especially by cold.

2. To make inactive; dull: "The anesthetic afternoon benumbs, sickens our senses" Karl Shapiro. See Synonyms at daze.

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[Middle English binomen, from past participle of binimen, to take away, from Old English beniman : be-, away; see be- + niman, to take; see numb.]

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be·numbment n.

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benumb

Verb

1. to make numb or powerless

2. to stupefy (the mind, senses, will, etc.): the work benumbed their minds and crushed their spirits

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

benumb - make numb or insensitive; "The shock numbed her senses" numb, blunt, dull desensitise, desensitize - cause not to be sensitive; "The war desensitized many soldiers"; "The photographic plate was desensitized"