Wee Stinker

[davey b]

Count Dracula N?M?E?

[DaisyNonna]

number?

[Captain2]

Presumably 'Number' - can see why and also why not, so not much help!

[frugalfred]

I thought "number", Capt.2, but couldn't see it.

[davey b]

Thanks folks. Can anyone please parse the clue?

[Svejk]

sort of double meaning.

[Captain2]

Tenuous I know but doesn't Dracula 'numb' his victims into the state of the undead by draining their blood?

[davey b]

That is indeed tenuous Captain.

[Svejk]

you'd be numb if they sucked your blood out.

[Captain2]

Number is often used in crosswords to mean someone/thing that numbs as well as being 1,2,3 etc

Anyway please report back with the answer (when will you find out?)

[davey b]

The answer's next Monday.

[frugalfred]

There is a genus of Orchids called Dracula, mainly South American, which are known to have sedative effects on humans, i.e. they cause numbness.

[davey b]

That sounds good Fred.

[Svejk]

Vampires induce numbness before bleeding you.

[Captain2]

You're doing a grand job for us Svejk - keep it up :0))

[davey b]

Another good explanation svejk.

[Svejk]

foff

[Captain2]

Svejk ?

[frugalfred]

svejk, it is certainly the case in the real world that blood-sucking ectoparasites utilise 2 types of chemical when biting, (i) anticoagulants to stop the blood clotting; and (ii) an "anaesthetic" to dull sensitivity at the site of the bite, so that the host does not scratch off the ectoparasite.
Here endeth the lesson!

[Wolfram9]

I don't see anything wrong with 'Numb -er' :)

[Wolfram9]

Two other words fit (in English)
Numbed & Nimmer (a thief)
My money's on Number :)