numbadj/nʌm/

• 1

  Physically unable to feel, not having the power of sensation.

  • fingers numb with cold
  • legs numb from kneeling
• 2

  Emotionally unable to feel or respond in a normal way.

  • numb with shock; numb with boredom
  • […] when we know that hundreds are rendered homeless every day, and countless thousands are killed and wounded, men and boys mowed down like a field of grain, and with as little compunction, we grow a little bit numb to human misery.
• 3

  Dumb or stupid.

• 4

  obsoleteCausing numbness.

  • […] he did lap me Even in his own garments, and gave himself, All thin and naked to the numb cold night.

numbverb/nʌm/

• 1

  To cause to become numb (physically or emotionally).

  • The dentist gave me novocaine to numb my tooth before drilling, thank goodness.
  • When I first heard the news, I was numbed by the shock.
• 2

  To cause (a feeling) to be less intense.

  • He turned to alcohol to numb his pain.
  • [I was] thankful for the pain, which helped to numb my terror.
• 3

  To cause (the mind, faculties, etc.) to be less acute.

  • […] hunger, fatigue, and despairing hopelessness had numbed his brain […]
  • The noise, the rush of air past our ears, was positively terrific. It actually seemed to numb the senses and make it almost impossible to take in impressions at all.
• 4

  To become numb (especially physically).

  • […] after fumbling with numbing fingers for ten or fifteen minutes, he waved his hand with a gesture of despair […]
  • […] once more his feet began to numb. Again he got down and stamped the circulation going, but as soon as he began to ride again they numbed.