impassivity
|im-pass-iv-i-ty|
/ˌɪmpæsˈɪvɪti/
unmoved; not affected
Etymology
'impassivity' originates from Latin via French and English, specifically from Medieval Latin 'impassibilis', where 'im-' (or 'in-') meant 'not' and the root 'pati' meant 'to suffer or endure'.
'impassibilis' passed into Old French as 'impassible' (meaning 'not able to suffer') and later into English as the adjective 'impassive'; the noun 'impassivity' was formed in English by adding the suffix '-ity' to 'impassive'.
Initially, it meant 'not able to suffer' (often in theological or literal senses); over time it evolved to mean 'not showing feeling or emotion' (unmoved, unemotional) in common usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or quality of not showing emotion or feeling; calmness and unemotional demeanour.
Her impassivity in the face of criticism surprised everyone.
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Noun 2
a lack of responsiveness or sensitivity (e.g., to pain or external stimuli); emotional or physical insensitivity.
The medication produced a temporary impassivity to minor aches.
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Last updated: 2025/12/02 13:20