obtund

[ ob-tuhnd ]

verb (used with object)

1. Chiefly Medicine/Medical. to blunt; dull; deaden:

   The drug's effect was sufficient to obtund pain.

obtund

/ ɒbˈtʌnd /

verb

1. rare.
   tr to deaden or dull

Derived Forms

• obˈtundent, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• ob·tun·da·tion noun
• ob·tund·ent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obtund¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin obtundere “to beat at,” equivalent to ob- ob- + tundere “to strike”

Word History and Origins

Origin of obtund¹

C14: from Latin obtundere to beat against, from ob- against + tundere to belabour

Related Words

• dampen
• debilitate
• sap
• soften
• undermine
• water down
• weaken