insensible en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- /ɪnˈsɛns.ɪ.bəl/
- [ɪnˈsɛn̥sɪbl̩]
Etymology
From Middle English insensible, from Old French insensible, from Late Latin īnsēnsibilis.
Meanings
-
Unable to be perceived by the senses.
They fall away, / And languish with insensible decay.
1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:an insensible shift in emphasis
Two small and almost insensible pricks were found upon Cleopatra's arm.
1650, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], →OCLC:
-
Incapable or deprived of physical sensation.
The Leicester Daily Mercury reflected on how these concerns were the result of changing ways of getting around: "It might sound a bit crazy or just a little revolting that at Christmas works parties, some should drink themselves into a near-insensible state... This was not serious when they used public transport, but today more men and women use their own cars."
2023 December 27, David Turner, “Silent lines...”, in RAIL, number 999, page 29:“[…] Captain Markam had been found lying half-insensible, gagged and bound, on the floor of the sitting-room, his hands and feet tightly pinioned, and a woollen comforter wound closely round his mouth and neck ; whilst Mrs. Markham's jewel-case, containing valuable jewellery and the secret plans of Port Arthur, had disappeared.[…]”
1904–1905, Baroness Orczy [i.e., Emma Orczy], “The Fate of the Artemis”, in The Case of Miss Elliott, London: T[homas] Fisher Unwin, published 1905, →OCLC; republished as popular edition, London: Greening & Co., 1909, OCLC 11192831, quoted in The Case of Miss Elliott (ebook no. 2000141h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg of Australia, February 2020:
- Unable to be understood; unintelligible.
-
Not sensible or reasonable; meaningless.
If it make the indictment be insensible or uncertain, […]it shall be quashed.
1736, Matthew Hale, Historia Placitorum Coronæ:
-
Incapable of mental feeling; indifferent.
Lost in their loves, insensible of shame.
1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:In spite of her deep-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man's affection[…]
1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], Pride and Prejudice: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC:
- Incapable of emotional feeling; callous; apathetic.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more insensible | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most insensible | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |
Antonyms
discernable · perceivable · sensible · conspicuous · noticeable · perceptible · observable · perceptible · sensate · sensible · detectable · sensible · sensable
Deriveds
insensiblist · insensibleness · insensibly · insensibility
Relateds
senseless · nonsensible · nonsensical · unsensitive · insensitive · unsensible
Synonyms
impassive · apathistical · unzealous · spiritless · unpassionate · languorous · otiose · undecipherable · inexplicable · unconcerned · gallionic · dull · anesthetic · impenetrable · insensitive · lotophagous · unconcerned · insolvable · tenebrose · insensible · apathistical · pococurante · unfeeling · tepid · incognizable · blasé · imperceptible · unexplainable · fathomless · Greek · indiscernible · insouciant · insouciant · lethargic · insensible · inenubilable · inapprehensible · abstruse · mysterious · mopey · uncaring · nonemotional · torpid · insensible · supine · undiscoverable · nonplussed · listless · dead inside · untouched · enervated · pointless · Laodicean · meh · unaroused · unperceivable · nonunderstandable · cool · clinical · dense · unperceivable · nonpassionate · ungraspable · insensate · nonchalant · emotionless · phlegmatic · torpedinous · incomprehensible · impassible · impassive · unfathomable · unexplainable · unsentimental · adiaphroistic · uninterested · nonfeeling · undiscernible · unenthusiastic · blithe · dispassionate · apathetic · heartless · stolid · immovable · emotionless · dispassionate · world-weary · unsensitive · senseless · retruse · enigmatic · unimpressible · undetectable · bottomless · unmovable · languid · obscure · Chinese · deaf · thick · insensitive · inscrutable · unknowable · unmoved · inscrutable · dull · halfhearted · unintelligible · undistinguishable · unlively · insoluble · shiftless · ineffervescible · imperceptible · nonsentimental · jaded · insensible · cold-blooded · imperceivable · phlegmatic · indifferent · unemotional · cold-hearted · lackadaisical · alexithymic · ineffable · lukewarm · ununderstandable
Translations (17)
ja 平気な (incapable of emotional feeling) · bg нечувствителен (incapable of emotional feeling) · grc ἀπαθής (incapable of emotional feeling) · bg незабележим (unable to be perceived by the sense) · bg безчувствен (incapable of emotional feeling) · es insensible (incapable of emotional feeling) · fr insensible (incapable of emotional feeling) · ca insensible (incapable of emotional feeling) · de gefühllos (incapable of emotional feeling) · cmn 無感的 /无感的 (incapable of emotional feeling) · es insensible (unable to be perceived by the sense) · fr insensible (unable to be perceived by the sense) · de bewusstlos (unable to be perceived by the sense) · de nicht wahrnehmbar (unable to be perceived by the sense) · ja 感じられない (unable to be perceived by the sense) · ja 無感覚の (incapable of emotional feeling) · oc insensible (incapable of emotional feeling)