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benumb

 [bih-nuhm]   Origin

be·numb

   [bih-nuhm]
verb (used with object)
1.
to make numb; deprive of sensation: benumbed by cold.
2.
to render inactive; deaden or stupefy.
Origin:
1350–1400; back formation from Middle English benomen, past participle of benimen to take away, Old English beniman; cognate with Dutch benemen, German benehmen, Gothic biniman. See be-, nimble, numb

Related forms
be·numbed·ness  [bih-nuhmd-nis, -nuhm-id-] , noun
be·numb·ing·ly, adverb
be·numb·ment, noun
un·be·numbed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Benumb is one of our favorite verbs.
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to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.
to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
benumb (bɪˈnʌm)
 
—vb
1.  to make numb or powerless; deaden physical feeling in, as by cold
2.  (usually passive) to make inactive; stupefy (the mind, senses, will, etc)
 
be'numbingly
 
—adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

benumb
late 15c., from be- + numb. Originally of mental states; of the physical body from 1520s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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