hebetate

English

Etymology

Latin hebetatus, past participle of hebetare (“to dull”).

Pronunciation

• (adjective) IPA^(key): /ˈhɛbɪtət/
• (verb) IPA^(key): /ˈhɛbɪteɪt/

Adjective

hebetate (comparative more hebetate, superlative most hebetate)

1. obtuse; dull
2. (botany) Having a dull or blunt and soft point

Verb

hebetate (third-person singular simple present hebetates, present participle hebetating, simple past and past participle hebetated)

1. (transitive) To render obtuse; to dull; to blunt.
   • 1829, Robert Southey, “Colloquy VI. Walla Crag.—Owen of Lanark.”, in Sir Thomas More: or, Colloquies on the Progress and Prospects of Society. […], volume I, London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, page 128:

     […] whenever a state shall duly exercise its parental duties, there will surely be none which shall either wholly hebetate the faculties or harden the heart.

References

• “hebetate”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Latin

Participle

hebetāte

1. vocative masculine singular of hebetātus