a. Obs. rare. [ad. pr. pple. of L. torpēscĕre to become torpid.] That grows torpid; becoming numb. Hence † Torpescence [see -ENCE], the process of becoming torpid.
1750. Shenstone, Economy, I. 139. Their torpescent soul Clenches their coin.
1784. Johnson, in W. Windham’s Diary (1866), 19. Torpescence, much of the faculties of mankind lost in them.
