cold-blooded
|cold-blood-ed|
🇺🇸
/ˌkoʊldˈblʌdɪd/
🇬🇧
/ˌkəʊldˈblʌdɪd/
without internal warmth (physically or emotionally)
Etymology
'cold-blooded' is a compound formed in English from 'cold' and 'blood' with the adjectival suffix '-ed'. 'cold' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'ceald' meaning 'cold', and 'blood' originates from Old English 'blōd' meaning 'blood'.
'cold-blooded' appears in Early Modern English as a literal compound describing animals with cold blood; over time the same compound was used figuratively to describe people or actions as unemotional or cruel, and this usage became established in modern English.
Initially, it meant 'having cold blood' (literal, describing ectothermic animals); over time it acquired a figurative sense meaning 'unfeeling or cruel', which is common in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
(biology) Having a body temperature that varies with the environment; ectothermic (not warm-blooded).
Many reptiles are cold-blooded and depend on external heat to regulate their body temperature.
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Adjective 2
(figurative) Deliberately cruel, unemotional, or lacking pity; merciless.
The robber committed a cold-blooded murder without showing any remorse.
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Last updated: 2025/12/04 11:42