torpor
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What is the definition and pronunciation of the word “torpor”?
It's the word of the day podcast for August sixth. Today's word is torpor, spelled T O R P O R. Torpor is a noun. It's a formal word for a state of inactivity and sluggishness.
How do bats use torpor during migration and cold snaps?
It can also be used, especially in the context of hibernating and estivating animals, to refer to a state of lowered physiological activity. Here's the word used in a sentence from The Conversation by Tara Hohoff. Especially during migration in the spring and fall, bats can get tired. If they are caught in a cold snap, they can go into torpor, like a mini hibernation, to help survive the cold period when there aren't insects available to eat for energy.
In what ways does torpor describe human sluggishness on hot days?
Torpor most commonly refers to a state of mind and body characterized by inactivity and lack of energy, as on a torid, no relation, summer day, when one has little desire to do much more than lie around daydreaming. While people may be able to shake off torpor that sets in when the heat takes away the will to get things done, it's a bit harder for animals, for whom the word has a more technical meaning. An animal in torpor is in a state of lowered body temperature and metabolic activity, usually because of extreme heat or cold. The torpor can last a few hours or it can be months before the creature wipes the sleep out of its eyes.
What is the origin of “torpor” and how is its adjective “torpid” applied?
Torpid, the related adjective, both torpid and torpor, come from the Latin verb torpere, meaning to be sluggish or numb, has both technical and non technical applications, as in torpid animals or a torpid economy. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski. Visit MarionWebster dot com today for definitions, wordplay, and trending word lookups.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the definition and pronunciation of the word “torpor”?
0:06–0:23
2
How do bats use torpor during migration and cold snaps?
0:23–0:54
3
In what ways does torpor describe human sluggishness on hot days?
0:54–1:36
4
What is the origin of “torpor” and how is its adjective “torpid” applied?
1:36–2:05