hebetate

[heb-i-teyt]

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verb (used with object), heb·e·tat·ed, heb·e·tat·ing.

to make dull or blunt.

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. 2019

Related Words for hebetate

benumb, daze, deaden, dim, numb, stupefy

Examples from the Web for hebetate

Historical Examples of hebetate

It can beget bigotry, breed hypocrisy or hebetate affections.
Bushido, the Soul of Japan
Inazo Nitob

British Dictionary definitions for hebetate

hebetate

adjective

(of plant parts) having a blunt or soft point

verb

rare to make or become blunted

Derived Formshebetation, nounhebetative, adjective

Word Origin for hebetate

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