nonresponsive
|non-res-pon-sive|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑn.rɪˈspɑn.sɪv/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒn.rɪˈspɒn.sɪv/
not showing or giving a response
Etymology
'nonresponsive' is formed from the prefix 'non-' (meaning 'not') + 'responsive' (from 'response' + suffix '-ive'), where 'non-' is from Latin 'non' meaning 'not'.
'responsive' derives from Medieval Latin/Old French roots from Latin 'respondere' (to answer), which produced English 'response' and the adjective 'responsive'; the negative prefix 'non-' was later attached to form 'nonresponsive' in modern English usage.
The compound originally carried the straightforward negative sense 'not responsive'; over time it has been used in medical, technical, and interpersonal contexts to mean 'not showing any response' or 'not replying', maintaining the core negative sense but broadening in contexts of use.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not showing a physical or clinical response; lacking observable reaction to stimuli or treatment (often used in medical contexts).
The patient remained nonresponsive after the medication was administered.
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Adjective 2
not replying or answering; failing to respond to communications, requests, or inquiries.
Several clients were nonresponsive to our follow-up emails.
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Adjective 3
failing to produce the expected effect or reaction; not reacting to influence or input (e.g., systems, policies, or treatments).
The software became nonresponsive under heavy load.
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Last updated: 2025/09/13 07:25