numbed, ppl. a.
(nʌmd)
Also 6–7 numd, 6–8 nummed, 7 nu(m)m'd; 6 nombde, 8 numb'd.
[f. numb a.; cf. numb v. and benumbed.]
1. Deprived of feeling or power of movement, esp. through cold. Also fig. a. In predicative use. Also with up.
| 1553 Brende Q. Curtius S j, They were streighte wayes so nummed for colde, that they could not ryse agayne. 1577 Googe Heresbach's Husb. ii. (1586) 68 b, You must shake of the Caterpillers in the morning,..when they be numbed. a 1601 ? Marston Pasquil & Kath. ii. 235, I am almost dead, numb'd vp with feare. 1655 W. Gurnall Chr. in Arm. v. 195/1 Finding his hands nummed with cold he goes first to the fire. 1727 A. Hamilton New Acc. E. Indies II. xxxix. 89 It grew first red by Inflammation, and then blue and nummed. 1768 Sir W. Jones Solima Poems (1777) 3 To warm the traveller, numb'd with winter's cold. 1860 Tyndall Glac. i. xxv. 190, I was too intent upon my work to heed the cold much, but I was numbed. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 586 The tip of the tongue and the lips felt numbed during cold weather. |
b. In attributive use.
| 1596 Spenser F.Q. vi. xi. 45 Like lyfull heat to nummed senses brought, And life to feele that long for death had sought. 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. Prol., Drizling sleete Chilleth the wan bleak cheek of the numd earth. a 1659 Lovelace Poems 50 I'm Ice; A nummed speaking clod, and mine own show, My Self congeal'd, a Man cut out in Snow. 1716 Pope Iliad viii. 396 The Tendon burst beneath the pondrous Blow, And his numb'd Hand dismiss'd the useless Bow. 1842 Manning Serm. (1848) I. 195 We are slowly recovering, anxiously chafing our numbed limbs to life. 1884 Manch. Exam. 4 June 5/2 The reform agitation first stirred his numbed faculties into the energies of a free and active manhood. |
| absol. a 1659 Lovelace Poems 72 Fearing we Numm'd fear'd no Flagration. [He] Hath curled all his Fires in this one One. |
† 2. numbed palsy (see
numb a. 2 b).
Obs.—1| 1655 Moufet & Bennet Health's Improv. 224 They cast..Sophia Queen of Poland into a numb'd Palsie. |