The word 麻木 is a coordinate compound, formed by combining two characters with similar meanings to create a nuanced, intensified concept. 麻 (má) originally refers to the prickling, tingling sensation of numbness, as from an asleep limb, while 木 (mù) means "wooden" or "insensate", describing a deadened, unfeeling state. When paired, they reinforce each other to describe a complete loss of sensitivity, either literal (physical numbness) or, more commonly, metaphorical (emotional apathy or indifference), where one is both "tingly-numb" and "woodenly unresponsive".