Have you ever experienced a feeling of numbness in your body? The sensation of being benumbed is not only physical, but it can also describe a mental state of being emotionally unresponsive. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of benumbed, its origin, and its usage in different contexts.
Definitions
The adjective benumbed describes a state of being numb or paralyzed, either physically or emotionally. It can also refer to a loss of sensation or feeling in a particular part of the body. When you are benumbed, you may feel a sense of coldness, stiffness, or lack of responsiveness.
Origin
The word benumbed comes from the Middle English word “beneomen,” meaning “to deprive of feeling.” It is a combination of the Old English words “be-” (meaning “thoroughly”) and “niman” (meaning “to take”). The word has been in use since the 14th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, benumbed is defined as “having lost the power of sensation or movement.” The Oxford English Dictionary describes it as “rendered numb or insensible.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “unable to feel anything in a particular part of the body, or unable to think or feel anything in a normal way.”
Associations
The word benumbed is often associated with feelings of coldness, stiffness, and lack of responsiveness. It can also be used to describe a state of shock or trauma, where a person feels disconnected from their emotions. In some cases, being benumbed can be a symptom of a medical condition, such as frostbite or nerve damage.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for benumbed include numb, paralyzed, frozen, unfeeling, and insensible. These words all describe a lack of sensation or responsiveness in some way.
Antonyms
The antonyms of benumbed include sensitive, responsive, feeling, and alive. These words describe the opposite of being numb or unresponsive.
The same root words
The root words of benumbed include “be-” and “niman,” which are also found in other English words. For example, the word “become” comes from “be-” and “cuman” (meaning “to come”), while “nimble” comes from “niman” and “bile” (meaning “able”).
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use the word benumbed:
- After being outside in the freezing cold for hours, my fingers were completely benumbed.
- The shock of the accident left him benumbed and unable to speak.
- She felt a sense of emotional numbness, as if her heart had been benumbed by years of disappointment.
- The medicine helped to alleviate the pain, but it also left her feeling benumbed and disconnected from the world around her.
- He tried to move his legs, but they were so benumbed that he couldn’t feel anything below his waist.