Stupe

Stupe is an English verb meaning to stupefy, astonish, or numb the senses. In modern usage it is rare and typically encountered in literary or historical contexts. It can function transitively, as in to stupe someone with a sudden revelation, but it is often replaced by the more common forms stupefy, astonish, stun, or bewilder.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin stupere, meaning to be numb or amazed, and reached English through Old French and Middle English. The sense is closely related to the noun stupor, which denotes a state of numbness or insensibility.

Usage: In present English, stupe is largely archaic or literary. It appears in older works and in certain stylistic writings to convey an older or more formal tone. Contemporary writers typically prefer “stupefy” or “stun” when aiming for the same meaning. Some dictionaries label “stupe” as obsolete or rare, though it can still be found in historical texts and in poetry seeking a classic or rhetorical flavor.

See also: stupor, stupefy, astonishment, amazement, shock.