torpor

/ˈtɔːpə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɔrpɚ] /ˈtɔːrpər/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɔrpɚ] /ˈtȯr-pər How to pronounce torpor (audio)/ (ame, mw)

torpor — noun

1. a state in which a person, group, or place becomes slow, dull, and low in spirit

1.名詞C2
釋義

a state in which a person, group, or place becomes slow, dull, and low in spirit or activity

例句

After the long budget meeting, Tara fell into torpor at her desk.

fall into torpor

The town sank into torpor once the summer tourists went home.

sink into torpor for a whole place

同義詞
  • lethargy

    often stresses tired heaviness, especially from fatigue or illness

  • apathy

    focuses more on not caring than on physical slowness

  • languor

    is softer and more literary, sometimes even graceful in tone

反義詞
  • alertness

    stresses quick awareness and readiness to react

  • vitality

    focuses on lively energy and strength

文法句型

fall into torpor

sink into torpor

be in torpor

用法筆記

Often used for emotional, social, or workplace sluggishness rather than literal sleep. Distinguish from sense 3, which describes medically reduced responsiveness.

常見錯誤

❌The meeting made everyone torpor.
✅The meeting left everyone in torpor.
💡torpor is a noun, so use it after a verb or preposition, not as a bare complement.
❌The town was very torpor after winter.
✅The town was in torpor after winter.
💡use 'torpid' for the adjective, not 'torpor'.

2. a period when an animal's body slows down and it moves very little, especially t

2.名詞C2
釋義

a period when an animal's body slows down and it moves very little, especially to save energy in cold or dry conditions

例句

The tiny bat entered torpor as the cave air turned colder.

enter torpor as temperature drops

During torpor, the lizard lay almost still under the warm rock.

during torpor

同義詞
  • hibernation

    usually refers to a longer, deeper winter state

  • dormancy

    is broader and can describe inactive states in plants or seeds as well

  • estivation

    specifically refers to reduced activity during heat or dryness

反義詞
  • activity

    describes normal or lively movement instead of slowed body function

  • wakefulness

    focuses on being fully awake and active

文法句型

enter torpor

during torpor

come out of torpor

用法筆記

Used mainly in biology for temporary or seasonal drops in an animal's body activity. Distinguish from hibernation: torpor can describe shorter and lighter periods.

常見錯誤

❌The bear torpored all winter.
✅The bear stayed in torpor all winter.
💡torpor is a noun, not a verb.

3. a medical state in which a person barely moves or answers and seems only partly

3.名詞C2
釋義

a medical state in which a person barely moves or answers and seems only partly aware of what is happening

例句

After the seizure, the patient lay in torpor for several minutes.

lie in torpor

The nurse checked his pupils while torpor kept him from answering.

torpor keeps someone from answering

同義詞
  • stupor

    is stronger and suggests near-unconsciousness

  • lethargy

    is broader and less clinical than this medical sense

  • sluggishness

    describes slow response but is less medical and less severe

反義詞
  • alertness

    describes quick mental awareness and response

  • responsiveness

    focuses on being able to react or answer normally

文法句型

lie in torpor

be in torpor

emerge from torpor

用法筆記

Usually appears in medical descriptions of reduced awareness and movement. Distinguish from sense 1, which can describe ordinary dullness without illness.

常見錯誤

❌She answered in torpor.
✅She answered slowly because of torpor.
💡torpor names the condition, not the manner of speaking.