居いすくむ

godan verb (-mu), intransitive verb

freeze in one's seat; be unable to move while seated

Rare intransitive verb describing being paralyzed in a seated position due to fear, shock, or surprise. Often used in literary or dramatic contexts. Related to the more common 居すくまる (いすくまる).

See also: 居竦まる

• 突とつ然ぜんの悲ひ鳴めいに、彼かれはその場ばに居いすくんでしまった。

  At the sudden scream, he froze in his seat.

• あまりの恐きょう怖ふに、誰だれもが居いすくんだまま動うごけなかった。

  Overcome with fear, everyone remained frozen in their seats, unable to move.