I. ˈnəm adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English nomen, from nome, nomen (past participle of nimen to take), from Old English numen, past participle of niman to take — more at nimble
1.
a. : devoid of sensation especially due to cold : benumbed
my right cheek has been numb all day — Jack London
had to lay him down again and rest her numb arms — Elsie Singmaster
b. : devoid of emotion : desensitized, indifferent
prisoners … numb from suffering and anguish — E.M.Lustgarten
personally, I am numb , and can't rouse … interest in anybody — Anthony Boucher
c. : devoid of skill or sensitivity
he is tough, numb , and simple-minded — J.W.Aldridge
2. : numbing
it was a listless and numb gray day — Edith Sitwell
3. : characterized by numbness
a deep sensation of cold … a numb feeling — R.S.Woodworth
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
: to make numb : deaden
fatigue numbed his legs — William Chamberlain
his body was numbed with fear — Liam O'Flaherty
the numbing hand of officialdom — Britain Today
intransitive verb
: to become numb
tried to shield his face … but his jaw numbed and his teeth ached — Andrew Hamilton
III. abbreviation
numbered