The Death of Fissiparous and Other Words: A Dictionary of Words & Phrases on the Verge of Extinction

torpid

TOR-puhd

adjective

sluggish and inactive; lethargic

1844Edgar Allan PoeThe Premature BurialSlowly—with a tortoise gradation—approached the faint gray dawn of the psychal day. A torpid uneasiness. An apathetic endurance of dull pain. No care—no hope—no effort.1926H. Rider HaggardThe Treasure of the LakeAfter that I really cannot recall what followed, for between weariness, bewilderment, and exhaustion I grew confused, so that my mind became torpid. 1929Thomas WolfeLook Homeward, AngelIn Spring like torpid snakes my enemies awaken.1993Robert J. SawyerJust Like Old TimesThe rex was torpid, flopped on its belly, gorged on ceratopsian meat.

Labels: Edgar Allan Poe, H. Rider Haggard, Robert J. Sawyer, Thomas Wolfe

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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cataleptic

KA-tu-lep-tik

adjective

a medical state where the affected body cannot move its limbs

1844Edgar Allan PoeThe Premature BurialMethought I was immersed in a cataleptic trance of more than usual duration and profundity.1908Algernon BlackwoodThe Camp of the DogHis sleep is very deep,' he whispered, seating himself by the door again. 'He's in a cataleptic condition, and the Double may be released any minute now.1970Joanna RussThe Second Inquisition'I've told you, baby,' she said, 'and you'll never know more, God willing,' and pulling into our driveway with a screech that would have wakened the dead, she vaulted out of the car and through the back door into the kitchen, just as if my mother and father had both been asleep or in a cataleptic trance, like those in the works of E. A. Poe.

Labels: Algernon Blackwood, Edgar Allan Poe, Joanna Russ

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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