heb·e·tate \ˈhebəˌtāt\verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Latin hebetatus, past participle of hebetare to make dull (literally & fig.), from hebet-, hebes dull transitive verb : to blunt the sensitivity or keenness of : make dull or obtuse < desultory reading … hebetates the brain — J.R.Lowell > intransitive verb : to become dull or obtuse • heb·e·ta·tion\ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈtāshən\noun-s