slumped

Slumped is the past participle of the verb slump and is commonly used as an adjective in English. It describes someone or something that has fallen, sunk, or sagged into a bent or drooping position. In everyday use, it often conveys fatigue, defeat, sorrow, or exhaustion, as in a person sitting with shoulders slumped or a chair that looks worn and sagging.

The term is also used to describe declines or deteriorations in various domains. For example, in economics or finance, sales or profits may slump, and stock prices may slump, signaling a downturn or loss of momentum. In these contexts, slumped conveys a rapid or noticeable weakening rather than a gradual decline.

In geology and geomorphology, slump refers to a distinct mass-wasting process where a portion of soil or rock moves downslope along a curved failure surface. The landscape feature created by such movement can leave rotated blocks and scarps. When people or landscapes are described as slumped, it indicates recent movement or deformation consistent with this process.

In medical and clinical settings, slumped can appear in discussions of posture or examination findings, such as slumped posture during assessment, or in phrases like “slump test,” which is used in evaluating nerve root mobility or irritation. While not diagnostic on its own, the term helps communicate a state of drooping posture or reduced function.

Overall, slumped functions as a versatile descriptor across physical posture, performance, and geological or clinical contexts.