居い竦すくまる

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

freeze in place while seated; be paralyzed with fear/surprise while sitting

Rare intransitive verb describing a state where one is so frightened or shocked that they cannot move from a seated position. Often used in literary or dramatic contexts.

• 突とつ然ぜんの大おおきな音おとに、彼かれはその場ばに居い竦すくまった。

  At the sudden loud noise, he froze in place where he was sitting.

• 幽ゆう霊れいを見みたかのように、彼かの女じょは椅い子すの上うえで居い竦すくまっていた。

  As if she had seen a ghost, she sat frozen on the chair.