[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/torpor/)

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# torpor

noun (torpor — uncountable)

«torpor» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Torpor is a state of being very sleepy, slow and inactive, without energy: "The heat filled us with torpor." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/torpor/#m1)
2. (science) In animals, torpor is a short sleep-like state when body temperature and heartbeat drop to save energy, for example in hummingbirds at night, bats and some mice; long-lasting torpor in winter is called hibernation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/torpor/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science lessons it comes with adaptations and survival in cold or lack of food. In stories and formal writing, torpor describes a lazy, heavy mood on a hot afternoon or after a big meal. Phrases: "fall into torpor", "summer torpor", "a state of torpor".

### Examples

- Hummingbirds go into torpor at night to save energy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/torpor/#x1)
- After the huge Christmas lunch, the whole family sank into torpor. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/torpor/#x2)
- Bats can enter torpor on cold days. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/torpor/#x3)
- The heat of the afternoon filled the classroom with torpor. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/torpor/#x4)
- Hibernation is a long kind of torpor. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/torpor/#x5)
- The dog lay in a happy torpor by the fire. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/torpor/#x6)
- The sudden noise shook him out of his torpor. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/torpor/#x7)

### Note

Uncountable, formal. Adjective: torpid. Pronounced "TOR-per". Torpor lasts hours or days; hibernation lasts weeks or months.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «torpor» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/torpor/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«torpor» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/torpor.html) on Mova free.