NUMB

numb

(adjective) so frightened as to be unable to move; stunned or paralyzed with terror; petrified; “too numb with fear to move”

benumbed, asleep(p), numb

(adjective) lacking sensation; “my foot is asleep”; “numb with cold”

numb, dead(p)

(adjective) (followed by ‘to’) not showing human feeling or sensitivity; unresponsive; “passersby were dead to our plea for help”; “numb to the cries for mercy”

numb, benumb, blunt, dull

(verb) make numb or insensitive; “The shock numbed her senses”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

numb (comparative number, superlative numbest)

Physically unable to feel, not having the power of sensation.

Synonyms: deadened, insensible

Emotionally unable to feel or respond in a normal way.

Synonym: stunned

(obsolete) Causing numbness.

Antonyms

• sensible, sensitive

Verb

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: benumb

(transitive) To cause (a feeling) to be less intense.

Synonym: dull

(transitive) To cause (the mind, faculties, etc.) to be less acute.

Synonym: dull

(intransitive) To become numb (especially physically).

Source: Wiktionary

Numb, a. Etym: [OE. nume, nome, prop., seized, taken, p. p. of nimen to take, AS. niman, p. p. numen. *7. See Nimble, Nomad, and cf. Benumb.]

1. Enfeebled in, or destitute of, the power of sensation and motion; rendered torpid; benumbed; insensible; as, the fingers or limbs are numb with cold. "A stony image, cold and numb." Shak.

2. Producing numbness; benumbing; as, the numb, cold night. [Obs.] Shak.

Numb, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Numbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Numbing.]

Definition: To make numb; to deprive of the power of sensation or motion; to render senseless or inert; to deaden; to benumb; to stupefy. For lazy winter numbs the laboring hand. Dryden. Like dull narcotics, numbing pain. Tennyson.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition