stupor
(ˈstjuːpə(r); as scientific Latin ‖ ˈstjuːpɔː(r))
Also 5, 7 stupour.
[a. L. stupor, f. stup-ēre: see stupid. Cf. F. stupeur, Sp., Pg. estupor, It. stupore.]
1. A state of insensibility or lethargy; spec. in Path., a disorder characterized by great diminution or entire suspension of sensibility.
stupor of the teeth: tr. med.L. stupor dentium, the rendering, in the ancient translation of Galen, of Gr. αἱµωδία, ‘a scorbutic affection of the gums’ (L. & Sc.).
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. vii. vii. (1495) 227 Stupor is a lettynge and stonyenge of lymmes and crokynge of the vtter partyes of the body for colde so that it semyth that the lymmes shrynke and slepe. 1656 tr. Hobbes' Elem. Philos. (1839) 395 For what is stupor but that which the Greeks call ἀναισθησία, that is, a cessation from the sense of other things? 1666 G. Harvey Morbus Angl. x. (1672) 28 Various Diseases, as Catarrhs, stupors, [etc.]. 1678 Gale Crt. Gentiles iv. iii. iii. 91 By the spirit of deep sleep, must be understood such a stupor of spirit as leaves men without al sense. 1746 R. James Moffet's Health Improv. Introd. 12 Acid Eructations, which have in some Cases been so sharp as to induce a Stupor of the Teeth. 1752 Phil. Trans. XLVII. 413 There appear'd some signs of stupor from the medicine. 1822–9 Good Study Med. (ed. 3) IV. 500 The pricking pain like that of pins, or of a limb awaking from stupor. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. v. 71 An expergefaciant..was employed to rouse a patient from the lethargic stupor brought on by a large dose of opium. a 1849 Poe Tales, Oval Portrait Wks. 1874 I. 281 The first flashing of the candles upon that canvas had seemed to dissipate the dreamy stupor which was stealing over my senses. a 1859 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xxv. V. 289 James sank into a stupor which indicated the near approach of death. 1899 Conan Doyle Duet viii. 111 She had drunk herself into the stupor in which she had been found. |
b. = dementia 1.
anergic stupor, a form of dementia in which the patient is quiet, listless, and non-resistant. delusional stupor, stuporous insanity or acute dementia. (Dorland Med. Dict. 1913.)
| 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 297 Stupor, both in its melancholic and anergic varieties, is found much more frequently during the age of adolescence than in any other period of life. |
2. A state of mental stupefaction; apathy or torpor of mind (now only, torpor or prostration of mind due to sorrow, painful surprise, or the like).
| a 1672 Wilkins Nat. Relig. 267 That stupor and benummedness of spirit, whereby men are made unapprehensive of their afflictions. 1784 Cowper Task iv. 283 Laugh ye, who boast your more mercurial pow'rs, That never feel a stupor, know no pause, Nor need one. 1786 Burns Lament x, Oh! scenes in strong remembrance set!.. Scenes, if in stupor I forget, Again I feel, again I burn! 1837 Carlyle Fr. Rev. i. ii. iii, Our Church stands..like a dumb ox..with dumb stupor, expecting its further doom. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick. xv, The back parlour sat with her mouth wide open, staring vacantly at the collector, in a stupor of dismay. 1841 Elphinstone Hist. Ind. xii. iii. II. 633 The inhabitants of Delhi remained in a sort of stupor. They had not yet recovered the terror of the past. 1850 Grote Greece ii. lx. VII. 457 A downcast stupor and sense of abasement possessed every man. 1863 Mrs. Oliphant Salem Chapel xxii, It was very different from the stupor of agony. |
| transf. 1772 Burke Let. to W. Dowdeswell (1844) I. 346, I do not suppose that there was ever anything like this stupor in any period of our history. 1855 Disraeli in G. E. Buckle Life (1916) IV. i. 23 There has been a great stupor over affairs since we parted,..but there are now indications of events. 1879 Morley Burke iv. 62 The war with the American colonies was preceded by an interval of stupor. |
b. Admiring wonder. Also (after med.L. stupor mundi), the object of wonder, ‘the marvel of’ (the world, etc.).
| 1482 Monk of Evesham (Arb.) 26 Yet beyng holde in a certeyn stupour and wondyr of mynde of suche thinges that he had seyne. 1599 Broughton's Lett. viii. 26 You Cynosura and Lucifer of nations, the stupor and admiration of the world. 1619 Purchas Microcosmus lxxiii. 727 What shall we say of Him,..the great Stupor and Wonder of Diuines? 1633 ‘H. A.’ (H. Hawkins) Parthenia Sacra 237 That Cæsar of Cæsars in captiuing..Caligula the Roman Monark, to the stupour and amazement of the world. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Stupor,..Astonishment, Amazement;..Wonder, Surprise. |
3. Stupidity, dullness of comprehension. rare.
| 1845 Carlyle Cromwell (1871) III. 126 One stupid Annotator..says [etc.]; which is evidently downright stupor and falsehood. |
4. Comb.
| 1823 Scoresby Jrnl. 376 A dripping stupor-struck sailor, clinging by the weather-raill, comes aft at the moment. 1833 Lamb Elia, Product. Mod. Art, Bowed, bent down, so would they have remained, stupor-fixed, with no thought of struggling with that inevitable judgment. |