Word: torpid (adjective)

Associations

"Torpid" describes a state of inactivity or sluggishness. It refers to being slow or lacking energy.

• Example 1: "After the long meal, I felt torpid and didn't want to move." (This shows how one can feel inactive after eating a lot.)
• Example 2: "The torpid lizard lay in the sun, barely moving." (This indicates an animal being lazy and not active.)
• Example 3: "During the winter, many animals become torpid and hibernate." (This highlights a natural instinct to be inactive in cold weather.)

A well-known synonym for "torpid" is "lethargic." The main difference is that "lethargic" can imply a sense of illness or extreme tiredness, while "torpid" often refers to a general state of inactivity without illness.

Substitution

You might use "inactive," "sluggish," or "lethargic" as substitutes for "torpid."

• "Inactive" suggests being not active but may not imply slow movement.
• "Sluggish" focuses more on the slow movement aspect.
• "Lethargic" suggests being low in energy often due to fatigue or illness.

Deconstruction

The word "torpid" comes from the Latin "torpidus," meaning "numb" or "sluggish."

• There is no prefix or suffix in this word.
• The root "torpere" in Latin means "to be numb" or "to be sluggish," giving us the idea of inactivity and lack of energy.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt torpid? What caused that feeling?
• How might "torpid" apply to animals in different seasons, not just winter?
• In what situations do you think people might describe a person as torpid?