impassiveadj.
/ɪmˈpasɪv/, U.S. /ᵻmˈpæsɪv/ 1. Having the quality of not feeling pain; not subject or liable to suffering: = impassible adj. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > physical insensibility > [adjective] > incapable of physical suffering
unthrowlyc1225
impassiblea1340
unpassiblec1390
unpainfulc1450
impatible?1541
passiveless1602
unpassive1602
impassive1667
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 455 Too unequal work we find Against unequal armes to fight in paine, Against unpaind, impassive . View more context for this quotation
1708 N. Rowe Royal Convert v. i The free, impassive Soul mounts on the Wing, Beyond the reach of Racks, and tort'ring Flames.
a1791 J. Wesley Serm. lxv While he was innocent, he was impassive, incapable of suffering.
1822 P. B. Shelley Hellas 34 O Slavery!..the free heart, the impassive soul Scorn thy control.
2.
a. Naturally without sensation; inanimate; not susceptible of physical impression or injury, invulnerable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > operation upon something > [adjective] > involving subjection to action or influence > able or liable to be affected > not
superior1566
unsubject1583
unliable1590
insusceptible1603
uncapable1611
unexposeda1691
impassive1715
unsusceptible1734
insusceptive1752
waterproof1797
unsubjectable1829
immune1861
1715 A. Pope Temple of Fame 11 On th' impassive Ice the Lightnings play.
1780 E. Burke Speech Oeconomical Reformation 52 Death..domineers over every thing, but the forms of the exchequer... They are impassive and immortal.
a1788 N. Cotton Var. Pieces Verse & Prose (1791) I. 86 The lover meets the willing fair, And fondly grasps impassive air.
1876 J. S. Blackie Songs Relig. & Life 35 Thou, like the thin impassive air, Dost cheat the grasp of subtlest-thoughted sage.
b. Deprived of feeling or sensation; insensible, unconscious.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > physical insensibility > unconsciousness > [adjective]
insensible1426
senselessa1547
deadly1548
unsensible1568
slumbered1590
exanimate1619
lifeless1668
unconscious1832
impassive1846
1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) i. 7 The two medical attendants seemed to look on the impassive form with so much compassion and so little hope.
1871 H. Alabaster Wheel of Law 194 The impassive state is only transient.
3. Deficient in, or void of, mental feeling or emotion; not susceptible to mental impressions; unimpressionable, apathetic; also, in good sense, not liable to be disturbed by passion, serene.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > [adjective]
eveneOE
still1340
unperturbeda1450
unmovedc1480
quietful1494
lowna1500
calma1568
calmya1586
unpassionatea1586
smartless1593
reposeful1594
dispassionate1595
recollected1595
unaffectedc1595
unpassioned?1605
unpassionated1611
collecteda1616
tranquila1616
untouched1616
impassionate1621
composed1628
dispassioneda1631
tranquillous1638
slow1639
serene1640
dispassionated1647
imperturbed1652
unruffled1654
reposing1655
equanimous1656
perplacid1660
placate1662
equal1680
collect1682
cooled1682
posed1693
sedate1693
impassive1699
uninflamed1714
unexcited1735
unalarmed1756
unfanned1764
unagitated1772
undistraught1773
recollected1792
equable1796
unfussy1823
take-it-easy1825
unflurried1854
cool1855
comfortable1856
disimpassioned1860
tremorless1869
unpressured1879
unrippled1883
ice-cool1891
unrattled1891
Zen-likea1908
unrestless1919
steadyish1924
ataractic1941
relaxed1958
nonplussed1960
loose1968
Zenned-out1968
downtempo1972
mellowed1977
de-stressed1999
the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [adjective] > lacking emotional sensibility
unfeelingc1000
mis-feelinga1382
stonishc1450
unpainfulc1450
obtuse1509
sprightlessa1522
insensate1553
senseless1560
soulless1568
dull-esprited1591
impassible1592
bluntie1598
impenetrable1600
stockish1600
stolidc1600
incapable1601
stupid1605
tasteless1605
unsensitive1610
unexalted1611
insensible1617
unsensible1619
languid1622
immovable1639
dead-hearted1642
sterile1642
resupine1643
unaffectionate1645
iron-bound1648
resentlessa1649
torpid1656
torpulent1657
impassive1699
unreceptive1722
hebete1743
apathetic1744
stubbed1744
gustless1766
unresponsive1768
unsusceptible1779
tideless-blooded1786
unaffectioned1788
inaccessible1796
hebetudinous1820
unimpressible1828
insensitive1834
apathetical1835
non-sensitive1836
blunt-hearted1845
irreceptive1846
unreceptant1846
unimpressionable1847
anaesthetic1860
insentient1860
hard (also tough, sharp) as nails1862
unsqueamish1893
tone-deaf1894
unget-at-able1897
facty1901
zombie1937
pegamoid1957
1699 S. Garth Dispensary i. 3 To find, How Body acts upon impassive Mind.
1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. iv. 313 Impassive and serene, The man entranc'd wou'd view the deathful scene.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. v. 399 Clement..had maintained an attitude of impassive reserve.
1871 W. H. Ainsworth Tower Hill i. i He looked hard at Sir Anthony, but could read nothing in the knight's impassive countenance.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People x. §1. 727 Even the impassive Chesterfield cried in despair, ‘We are no longer a nation’.
4. Unendurable, intolerable: = impassible adj. 4. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > cause of mental pain or suffering > quality of being unendurable or intolerable > [adjective]
untholelyc1225
untholinga1300
unsufferablea1325
untolerablea1382
importable1402
untholefula1425
unbearablec1449
unportablea1500
impassible1508
intolerablea1513
insupportable1530
insufferable1533
incomportable1574
impatient1590
intollerous1594
unsuffered1598
supportless1602
unsupportable1602
indurable1607
impatible1623
unbrookable1633
unsustainable1662
unendurable1801
impassive1828
punishing1833
thick1884
1828 W. Irving Life C. Columbus (1848) I. 38 A torrid zone..separating the hemispheres by a region of impassive heat.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1667