top of page

GREAT GIFT IDEA!

The Vocabulary Builder Workbook of Adjectives

Add 2,000 must-know adjectives to your vocabulary.

All-in-one: dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.

 99 categorized lessons, 232 practical activities.

 Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.​​​​​​​​

 Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, CPE, BEC, PTE, FCE

4.9 star rating

4.9

Transform Your Vocabulary Today!

torpor

IPA:

How to pronounce torpor (audio)

Dictionary definition of torpor

A state of physical or mental inactivity or sluggishness.
"The monotonous lecture put the students in a state of torpor."

Detailed meaning of torpor

It is often associated with a lack of energy, motivation, or enthusiasm, and can be caused by a variety of factors such as illness, depression, or exhaustion. In animals, torpor is a state of reduced metabolic activity that allows them to conserve energy during periods of low food availability or extreme environmental conditions. During torpor, an animal's heart rate, body temperature, and other physiological functions slow down, leading to a decreased need for energy. While torpor can be a useful survival strategy for animals, it can also be a sign of illness or a lack of engagement in humans.

Example sentences containing torpor

1. The hot weather induced a state of torpor in the normally active dog.
2. The long journey had left the traveler in a state of torpor.
3. The sedative caused a state of torpor, making it difficult to stay awake.
4. The lack of physical activity left the elderly person in a state of torpor.
5. The hot, stuffy room caused a state of torpor in the crowded conference.
6. The large meal left the diners in a state of torpor, making it difficult to concentrate.

History and etymology of torpor

The noun 'torpor' originates from the Latin word 'torpor,' which means numbness or sluggishness. In Latin, 'torpor' was used to describe a state of physical or mental inactivity or sluggishness, much like its modern usage. Over time, this term made its way into Middle English and eventually became 'torpor' in its current form. 'Torpor' encapsulates the idea of a state characterized by a lack of energy, alertness, or activity, often implying a temporary or dormant condition. Its etymology underscores the historical recognition of the phenomenon of mental or physical lethargy, offering a word to describe the feeling of sluggishness that can affect both individuals and nature.

Quiz: Find the meaning of the noun torpor:

Try Again!

Correct!

Further usage examples of torpor

1. The prolonged illness left the patient in a state of torpor, causing fatigue and weakness.
2. The lack of stimulation caused a state of torpor in the captive animal.
3. The extreme heat caused a state of torpor in the desert-dwelling reptiles.
4. The high humidity caused a state of torpor in the coastal inhabitants.
5. The stress and exhaustion put the overworked employee in a state of torpor.
6. The oppressive heat left everyone in a state of torpor.
7. After the long hike, a sense of torpor settled over the group.
8. The Monday morning meeting was marked by a collective torpor.
9. Depression can plunge individuals into a deep emotional torpor.
10. The city's torpor during the midday siesta was palpable.
11. The cold winter weather often induces a sense of torpor.
12. She struggled to shake off the torpor of jet lag.
13. The torpor of boredom set in as the lecture dragged on.
14. A lack of exercise can lead to physical torpor.
15. The medication caused a temporary state of mental torpor.
16. The torpor of a long car ride made everyone sleepy.
17. The post-lunch torpor made it difficult to focus on work.
18. The town's economic torpor was evident in its empty streets.
19. In winter, the garden fell into a state of torpor.
20. Overeating can induce a feeling of physical torpor.
21. His long illness left him in a state of chronic torpor.
22. The torpor of a lazy Sunday afternoon was blissful.
23. She battled the mental torpor that came with writer's block.
24. The torpor of a long-haul flight affected passengers.
25. An afternoon nap can help alleviate the torpor of fatigue.

Suffix -or, SAT 9 (Scholastic Assessment Test), High School 5, Lethargy and Hopelessness

apathy,indolence,inertia,lethargy,listlessness,passivity

laziness,sloth,sluggishness

lethargy, vigor, energy, alertness

eb68db_e7cdc41ed7f042ba9398dee67355503e.mp3

bottom of page