rhizoverbBeta
DictionarytorporReduced activity
noun

torpor

TOR-per/ˈtɔːrpər/

A state of reduced activity, energy, and responsiveness.

The afternoon heat leaves the whole office in a state of torpor.

An awake young man sits heavily slumped at a small table, his unfocused half-open eyes, sagging shoulders and loosely dangling arm conveying pronounced physical and mental sluggishness rather than sleep.
Etymology
torpLatinto be numb or inactive
+orLatinstate or condition

The underlying idea is numbness or inactivity. Torpor applies that lack of responsiveness to the body or mind, describing sluggish movement or diminished mental activity.

In context

Be Here Now Network3:31
when torpor is present it's like the different mental factors get very unwieldy they're not pliable they're not agile the example given is just like a heavy blanket smothering all the different factors of mind
Joseph Goldstein – Insight Hour – Ep. 95 – Remedies for Sloth and Torpor

More examples

  • A brisk walk shakes me out of my torpor.
  • Some bats enter torpor to conserve energy on cold nights.
  • After weeks of torpor, the committee finally resumes its work.

Forms

torpor

torpid adjective — Showing very little energy or activity.

Similar words

lethargy
Emphasizes lack of energy rather than reduced responsiveness.
stupor
Suggests severely reduced awareness, not merely sluggishness or inactivity.