torpesco, pui, 3, v. inch. n. [torpeo], to grow stiff or numb, to become useless or torpid. Lit.: pars corporis torpescit, Plin. 11, 37, 89, § 220: elaeomeli qui bibere, torpescunt, id. 23, 4, 50, § 96: scorpiones visā lychnide torpescunt, id. 21, 26, 98, § 171: torpuerat gelido lingua retenta metu, Ov. H. 11, 82: torpuerant molles ante dolore genae, id. ib. 10, 44: quid tot dextrae? torpescent in amentiā illā? Liv. 23, 9, 6.

— Transf., to become dull, grow dim: (margaritae) flavescunt et illae senectā rugisque torpescunt, Plin. 9, 35, 54, § 109.

— Trop., to become listless, dull, inactive, indolent, etc.: ne per otium torpescerent manus aut animus, Sall. C. 16, 3; cf.: ingenium incultu atque socordiā torpescere sinunt, id. J. 2, 4: deliciis et desidia torpescere, Tac. H. 1, 71: vigor cogebatur senio torpescere rerum, Sil. 16, 14.