insensibleadj.n.
/ɪnˈsɛnsɪb(ə)l/ A. adj.
I. Passively: Incapable of being perceived.† 2. Incapable of being understood; unintelligible; without sense or meaning. (Chiefly in legal use.) Obsolete.
1.
a. Naturally incapable of being perceived by the bodily senses (= imperceptible adj. 2); non-material. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > materiality > immateriality > [adjective] > not perceptible by the senses or beyond the senses
unsensiblec1380
insensible1509
imperceptible1536
ungropable1558
untouchable1567
unfeelable1609
unsensive1616
intactible1623
intangible1640
supersensual1647
intactile1660
supersensitive1701
touchless1767
supersensible1795
untangible1816
insensile1822
ungraspable1822
suprasensitive1825
suprasensible1831
suprasensuous1838
subsensual1840
unsensuous1850
supersensational1853
insensuousa1861
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 469 Bileue is insensible & more trewe þan siche signes; as þis treuþe is insensible þat two & þre maken fyue, & ȝit it is more certeyn þan ony sensible þing heere.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xxiii. 106 For though that aungell[s] be invysyble, Inpalpable, and also celestiall, Wythouten substaunce as incencyble.
1583 A. Nowell et al. True Rep. Disput. E. Campion sig. Z2 His body may be insensible to vs if he will.
1630 Bp. J. Hall Occas. Medit. §lxxxvii Let my Soule..bee raised vp to inioy the insensible society of thy blessed Angels.
1851 H. L. Mansel Prolegomena Logica v. 154 Locke has laid some stress on the fact, that the names which stand for insensible actions and notions, are derived from those of sensible objects.
b. So small, slight, gradual, or hidden, as not to be perceived by the senses, or by the mind (= imperceptible adj. 1); inappreciable. (The prevailing sense.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > ability to be perceived by senses > [adjective] > (naturally) imperceptible to senses > so slight, etc., as to be imperceptible
imperceptible?a1475
unsensible1545
insensible1584
undistinguishable1600
indistinguishable1642
inappreciable1862
1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health ccxvii. 212 It auoideth red choler by vrine, & other insensible euacuations.
1625 N. Carpenter Geogr. Delineated i. ii. 37 This Inæquality, how great soeuer it seeme to the sight, is altogether insensible, and bearing no proportion with the huge vastnesse of the whole Earth.
1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 29 Exhaled by insensible Transpiration.
1734 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. I. 149 Carthage..grew larger by insensible degrees.
1836 J. M. Gully in tr. F. Magendie Formulary (ed. 2) 214 The temperature of the skin is moderately elevated, and the insensible perspiration increased.
1862 H. Spencer First Princ. i. ii. §9. 28 There is an insensible transition.
1900 N.E.D. at Insensible Mod. Passing by insensible gradations into the next sense.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > absence of meaning > [adjective]
emptya1225
sleevelessc1450
dumb1531
insensible1538
senseless1579
weetless1579
unsignificant1603
surd1605
matterless1612
unmeaning1632
non-significative1633
brute1642
shelly1648
insignificant1651
insignificative1660
unsignificative1664
unsignifying1665
unsensed1667
meaningless1728
bilka1734
meanless1734
inexpressive1744
unideal1751
unexpressive1755
idealess1793
unsuggestive1797
tenorless1821
themeless1840
nonsensible1851
inarticulate1855
purportless1865
expressionless1871
vacuous1872
contentless1886
unmeaningful1897
1538 Bible (Coverdale) (Paris) Ep. Ded. sig. ✠ij In many places both base, insensyble, & clean contrary, not onely to the phrase of oure language, but also from the vnderstondyng of the texte in latyn.
1658 T. Burton Diary (1828) II. 411 The words are insensible and uncertain words.
1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. xx. 340 If the condition of a bond be impossible..or be uncertain, or insensible, the condition alone is void, and the bond shall stand single, and unconditional.
1775 T. Hutchinson Diary 13 Mar. I. 405 Pointed out several inaccuracies and insensible expressions in the New England Bill.
1884 Law Times 76 315/2 The words..would be insensible, or at any rate superfluous.
II. Actively: Incapable of perceiving.† 5. Destitute of sense or intelligence; irrational.
3.
a. Naturally incapable of physical feeling; not having the faculty of sensation. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > physical insensibility > [adjective]
unfeelingc1000
dead?c1225
unwitlessc1225
insensiblec1400
unfeelablec1400
unfredeablec1450
insensate?1520
blatea1522
deaf?1527
unsensible1531
inanimatea1555
senseless1557
unsensate1561
sleeping1562
insensitive1610
unsensitive1610
torpid1613
inanimated1646
torpent1647
unperceptive1668
feelless1684
insentient1764
unsentient1768
sensationless1824
apathic1835
non-sensitive1836
zombie-like1932
zombie-esque1946
zomboid1963
zombied1972
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 24 Þerfore þe ligament is..incensible, for if þat it hadde be censible, þei myȝten nouȝt han I-susteyned þe traueile and þe meuynge of þe ioyntis.
1581 W. Fulke in A. Nowell et al. True Rep. Disput. E. Campion (1584) iii. sig. Q b I meane by insensible, voyde of life or sense.
a1620 M. Fotherby Atheomastix (1622) ii. xii. §3. 340 Fire, Haile, and Snow, meere insensible things.
1725 H. Sloane Voy. Islands II. 310 The stomach of this bird is very muscular, having a thin separable and insensible membrane.
1832 D. Brewster Lett. Nat. Magic ii. 13 The insensible spot on the retina is stimulated by a borrowed light.
b. Deprived of sensation; unconscious.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > physical insensibility > unconsciousness > [adjective]
insensible1426
senselessa1547
deadly1548
unsensible1568
slumbered1590
exanimate1619
lifeless1668
unconscious1832
impassive1846
1426 J. Lydgate tr. G. de Guileville Pilgrimage Life Man 9925 Thy body that lyth now blynd & deff, Doom also, and insensyble.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 361 b/2 She knewe not what was sayd ne done aboute her but as unmeuable or as all insensible..she held her eyen fixed in one place.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Insensible, or hauynge no sence or fealynge, as beynge numbe, lyke a dead membre.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth ix, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 211 By this staircase the villains conveyed the insensible Prince to the lowest dungeon of the Castle.
a1859 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. (1861) V. xxv. 287 He fell down in a fit, and remained long insensible.
c. Incapable of physically feeling or perceiving (something specified). Const. of, to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > physical insensibility > [adjective] > in respect of something specified
insensible1526
unsensible1568
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Qvi After the commaundement of our lorde we muste be blynde, defe and dumme, lame & incensible to all suche thynges.
1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes i. 61 Rendering him insensible of all pain.
1751 Earl of Orrery Remarks Swift (1752) 169 The manner of his death was easy, without the least pang or convulsion..Swift was totally insensible of happiness or pain.
1796 S. Pegge Anonymiana (1809) 444 A dog's nose is insensible of cold.
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola I. v. 93 The martial fury by which men became insensible to wounds.
4.
a. Incapable of mentally feeling, perceiving, or being affected by (something specified); unaware, unconscious; not susceptible, unaffected, unmoved, indifferent. Const. of, to, subordinate clause.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [adjective] > emotionally unaffected
dead1340
unsmittenc1400
unmovedc1480
unkindleda1525
senseless1560
lumpish1585
unfired1590
unaffectedc1595
incapable1601
unsensible1611
insensible1615
untouched1616
impervious1618
unanswering1632
untransported1641
beauty-proof1676
insensate1726
unsusceptible1734
uninfluenced1735
unimbued1813
unsmote1814
unsusceptive1825
unalive1828
echoless1869
non-conducting1871
unsusceptible1872
irresponsive1886
affectless1912
1615 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. III. O.T. x. 175 Should I onely be insensible of his, and the common happinesse?
1712 E. Budgell Spectator No. 283. ¶2 Insensible of that Weight and Dignity which a moderate share of Wealth adds to their Characters.
1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 81 Not insensible of your kindness.
1850 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire I. vi. 314 Their great leader was not insensible how much he owed to their faithful services.
1882 A. W. Ward Dickens v. 135 Even Circumlocution Offices are not insensible to the acetous force of satire.
b. Incapable or destitute of feeling or emotion; emotionless, callous, apathetic.
ΘΚΠ
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
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 236 My conscience was not..so insensible, as it could have passed over the..denying of my faith.
1621 J. Fletcher et al. Trag. of Thierry & Theodoret iv. i. sig. I2v Art thou growne Insensible in ill, that thou goest on Without the least compunction?
1683 D. A. Whole Art Converse 113 The Phlegmaticks are those the French call properly Des Apathicks, without passion or insensible.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas III. ix. vi. 418 The cold, relentless insensible was kindled into the warmest of love's votaries.
1850 A. Jameson Legends Monastic Orders 422 He filled the most insensible with terror.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > [adjective]
unwittyc1000
heartlessa1382
meana1387
conceitless?c1425
insensuat1508
insensate1528
insensible?1531
miskenning1533
unsensible1560
witless1562
unfraught1587
unconceiving1593
stupid1595
small-knowing1598
surd1601
ununderstanding1611
unapprehensible1613
unperceiving?1623
unapprehensive1624
inapprehending1652
incomprehensive1652
inapprehensive1653
impenetrative1684
blind1692
uncomprehensive1694
unpenetrating1701
unmeaning1704
vacant1712
gilly-gaupus1754
unacute1775
unapprehending1794
unpenetrative1795
unwitted1828
uncomprehending1838
irrecognizant1845
vacuous1848
incomprehending1881
mush-headed1884
wantwit1894
doofus1967
acerebral1968
brain-dead1972
goofus1981
the world > animals > by nature > [adjective] > irrational or dull
daftc1325
insensible?1531
roidc1540
unsensible1560
stupid1605
?1531 J. Frith Disput. Purgatorye i. sig. d7v Are ye so childish and insensyble to imagine that ye must yet go thorow purgatorye, syth ye are all readye wyth out faute in hys syght?
1598 R. Cleaver Godly Form Househ. Gouernement Ep. Ded. 4 Dumbe & insencible beasts.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 75 His feare and amazement became greater, and insensible how to qualifie these bloudie stirrings.
1693 Humours & Conversat. Town 15 In the Conversation of Brutes, and the Prospect of insensible Animals.
1794 G. Adams Lect. Nat. & Exper. Philos. IV. lii. 568 People stupid and insensible, illiterate, and incapable of learning.
1. (from A. I.)
a. Something that cannot be perceived by the senses; a non-material thing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > materiality > immateriality > [noun] > immaterial or incorporeal thing
spiritual1495
incorporate?1533
immateriality1648
insensible1656
incorporal1678
incorporeity1743
imponderable1855
intangible1914
non-object1914
1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. v. 11 To Insensibles nothing can be added, nothing taken away. This is the nature of Eternall Beings, the like and same ever.
b. Something too small or slight to be perceived; something imperceptible or inappreciable.
ΚΠ
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 128 By reason of the swarms of insensibles, drilling through their pores or spungholes.
2. (from A. II.) (a) A thing or person incapable of feeling; an inanimate thing; an apathetic person; (b) a person destitute of sense, a fool.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupid, foolish, or inadequate person > person of weak intellect > [noun]
mis-feelinga1382
noddyship?1589
shallow-pate1600
wattle-head1613
insensiblea1618
non-intelligent1628
underhead1643
no conjurer1668
insipid1699
shallow-brains1707
sillytonian1707
inane1710
coof1724
incapable1809
ganache1814
insipidity1822
wanwit1837
opacity1844
stupiditarian1850
scant-brain1864
insensate1877
slowie1901
no-brow1926
the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [noun] > want of or incapacity for emotion > person
thickskin1582
insensiblea1618
unnaturalist1623
non-sensitive1628
apathist1640
stick1801
soulless1824
zombie1936
a1618 J. Sylvester Tobacco Battered 470 As of all Insensibles, hath none More Melancholy and Adustion, Then Chimnies have.
1692 tr. C. de Saint-Évremond Misc. Ess. 336 The wise Man of the Stoicks is a vertuous insensible.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison VI. lvi. 370 What an Insensible must have been my cousin, had she not been proud of being Lady Grandison.
1785 W. Cowper Let. 19 Feb. (1981) II. 328 Of all the Insensibles he ever saw, poor Geary is the most completely stupid.
1802 M. Charlton tr. A. La Fontaine Reprobate II. 198 [Not] a word in favour of that insensible, that savage.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.n.c1380