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hebetate

[heb-i-teyt]
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verb (used with object), heb·e·tat·ed, heb·e·tat·ing.
  1. to make dull or blunt.
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Origin of hebetate

1565–75; < Latin hebetātus made dull or blunt (past participle of hebetāre), equivalent to hebet- (stem of hebes) blunt, dull + -ātus -ate1
Related formsheb·e·ta·tion, nounheb·e·ta·tive, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

benumbdazedeadendimnumbstupefy

Examples from the Web for hebetate

Historical Examples

  • It can beget bigotry, breed hypocrisy or hebetate affections.

    Bushido, the Soul of Japan

    Inazo Nitob

British Dictionary definitions for hebetate

hebetate

adjective
  1. (of plant parts) having a blunt or soft point
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verb
  1. rare to make or become blunted
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Derived Formshebetation, nounhebetative, adjective

Word Origin

C16: from Latin hebetāre to make blunt, from hebes blunt
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012