torpid

torpid
\ \ [17] Torpid was acquired from Latin torpidus, a derivative of torpērebe stiff, numb, inactive, etc’. Also from torpēre came torpēdō, which was applied to a type of fish capable of producing an electric shock with which it numbs its prey. English adopted the term as torpedo [16]. The fish is long and thin, and in the 1860s its name was applied to an underwater selfpropelled missile which shares its shape, and its disconcerting effect on enemies (it had earlier, from the late 18th century, been used for a sort of underwater mine).
\ \ Cf.TORPEDO

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Torpid — Tor pid (t[^o]r p[i^]d), a. [L. torpidus, fr. torpere to be stiff, numb, or torpid; of uncertain origin.] 1. Having lost motion, or the power of exertion and feeling; numb; benumbed; as, a torpid limb. [1913 Webster] Without heat all things would …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • torpid — TORPÍD, Ă, torpizi, de, adj. (livr.) Leneş, molatic, încet, greoi. – Din fr. torpide, it. torpido, lat. torpidus. Trimis de LauraGellner, 28.06.2004. Sursa: DEX 98  torpíd adj. m., pl …   Dicționar Român

  • Torpid — Tor pid, n. [See {Torpid}, a.] [Slang, Oxford University, Eng.] 1. An inferior racing boat, or one who rows in such a boat. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] 2. pl. The Lenten rowing races. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • torpid — [tôr′pid] adj. [L torpidus < torpere, to be numb or torpid < IE *( s) terp < base *( s) ter , to be stiff > STARE, STARVE] 1. a) having lost temporarily all or part of the power of sensation or motion, as a hibernating animal; dormant …   English World dictionary

  • Torpid — (v. lat.), gefühllos, unempfindlich, betäubt; an Schwäche hinsichtlich der Bewegung, des Gefühls, der Besinnung leidend, od. damit verbunden, s. Torpor …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Torpīd — (lat.), schwer erregbar, empfindungslos …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Torpid — Torpīd (lat.), starr, empfindungslos; Torpidität, Gliedererstarrung …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Torpid — Torpid, lat. dtsch., gefühllos, betäubt; T. ität, Torpor, Trägheit, Schwäche, Gefühllosigkeit …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • torpid — I adjective apathetic, benumbed, comatose, dead, disinterested, dormant, drowsy, dull, heavy, idle, impervious, inactive, inanimate, indifferent, indolent, iners, inert, inexcitable, insensate, insensible, languid, languorous, lazy, leaden,… …   Law dictionary

  • torpid — torpid:⇨stumpfsinnig(1) …   Das Wörterbuch der Synonyme

  • torpid — (adj.) 1610s, from L. torpidus benumbed, from torpere be numb or stiff (see TORPOR (Cf. torpor)) …   Etymology dictionary

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