torp-

1. Estivation or dormancy in some animals during the heat of the summer or during months of drought: "Animals; such as, snakes and lizards often enter a state of summer torpor during the hottest part of the days."
2. An inactive condition resembling deep sleep, in which some animals living in hot climates; such as, how certain snails pass the summer: "Estivation or the cessation or slowing of activity protects these creatures against heat and dryness during their summer torpor."
3. The arrangement of petals in a flower before it opens; prefloration: "The tight bud or summer torpor of the roses is a sign that they are about to burst into full bloom."

1. An underwater munitions device the purpose of which is to destroy or to wreck upon contact the target towards which it is aimed: "During the naval training maneuvers, the torpedo was launched towards a floating boat."
2. Any of various submarine explosive devices; especially, a submarine mine: "The navy administration admitted to having an excess stock of torpedoes at the naval base."
3. A small explosive placed on a railroad track which is fired by the weight of the train to sound a warning to the engineer of an approaching hazard or danger ahead: "The train-track maintenance crew placed a small torpedo on the track to warn the engineer of the train to slow down at the bridge crossing."
4. An explosive fired in an oil or gas well to begin or to increase the flow the oil or gas: "The use of torpedoes in oil or gas fields requires significant safety planning."
5. A small firework consisting of gravel wrapped in tissue paper with a percussion cap that explodes when thrown against a hard surface: "The youth enjoyed throwing the torpedoes on to the hard pavement of the street during the holiday celebrations and watching them explode."
6. Etymology: from the 1520's, "electric ray", from Latin torpedo; originally, "numbness" (from the effect of being jolted by the ray's electric discharges), from torpere, "to be numb".

From New Latin Torpedo, a genus of fish which give electric shocks, which came from Latin torpedo, "stiffness, numbness, the torpedo" (fish), from torpere, "to be stiff".

The sense of "an explosive device used to blow up enemy ships" was first recorded in 1776, as a floating mine; the "self-propelled" version came from the 1860's.

1. To hit, to damage, to destroy, or to disable submarines and surface ships; as well as, to destroy moorings, docks and other shoreline targets: "When the dock was accidentally torpedoed by the training ship’s crew, reparations were quickly started."
2. To spoil, to undermine, to ruin, or to destroy something completely: "The union threatened to torpedo the agreement unless the company agreed to make retroactive pay increases."

"To explode a torpedo in an oil or gas well facilitates the extraction of such elements."

1. Increasing sluggishness or not alert and showing very little energy or vitality: "Sam always feels a great state of torpescence during the summer as opposed to a sense of vitality during the winter."
2. Growing numbness or inactivity and moving slowly in a very lethargic way: "Eve was overcome with torpescence during the hot and humid weather."

A reference to becoming numb or being deprived of the power of movement or feeling: "Summer heat and humidity bring out the most torpescent side of the nature of many people."

1. Referring to a lack of physical or mental energy or enthusiasm; slow and apathetic: After several sleepless nights, Mike's brain feels torpid and he is unable to think clearly.
2. Deprived of the power of motion or feeling; drowsy or slow-moving; lethargic: Lying in a hammock under the shady tree sounds like a lovely torpid activity for a hot summer day.
3. Descriptive of a situation of biological rest or suspended activity; such as, animals in a dormant or hibernating condition: In winter, frogs, bears, and some other creatures go into a torpid state as they sleep through the cold season.
4. Etymology: from Latin torpidus, "benumbed"; from torpere, "to be stiff, to be numb". © ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

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Sluggishness, lassitude, or stupor: "Torpidity consists of deficiency in mental and physical alertness and activity; as well as, a state of sluggishness, drowsiness, dullness, or apathy."

Deprived of the power of motion or feeling; benumbed: "Torpidness is a condition of inactivity that results from a lack of energy or vigor."

"Another characteristic of torpidness is the existence of a mental ailment or some kind of physical inactivity or insensibility."

To make numb or to put into a condition of mental or physical inactivity or insensibility: "The dentist assured Evelyn that the injection would torpify her jaw and she would feel no pain during the extraction."

Insufficient vigor or energy that results in inactivity: Janine is so possessed with torpitude that she is unable to finish her gardening today.

1. A condition of not being active and having very little energy: "The news about the earthquake aroused him from his torpor and as a result, he became more aware of what was happening."
2. A state of mental or physical inactivity or insensibility: "Mike was experiencing significant torpor after working for two days without any sleep."
3. A situation in which an organism is inactive and it might be a result of damage to the nervous system or it might be a natural reaction to conserve energy: "Some mosquitoes pass the winter in a state of torpor so they can survive freezing temperatures."

Reduced sensitivity of the retina of the eyes to normal light stimuli: "The patient's torpor retinae was being carefully monitored by the ophthalmologist."

Referring to a condition of mental or physical inactivity or insensibility: "The day long written exam at the university left Pete in the most torporific mental state he had ever experienced."

1. Hibernation or to be in an inactive or dormant (sleep) condition or period: "Many mammals; such as, bears often enter a state of winter torpor during the cold season."
2. An inactive condition resembling deep sleep in which certain animals living in cold climates pass the winter: "In hibernation, the body temperature is lowered and breathing and heart rates slow down. Winter torpor protects certain animals from cold and reduces the need for food during the season when food is scarce or unavailable."