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definitions

impassible

[im-pas-uh-buh l]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impassible ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

incapable of suffering pain.
incapable of suffering harm.
incapable of emotion; impassive.

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RELATED WORDS

callous, impassive, indifferent, insensible, unconcerned, passionless, invincible, protected, safe, secure, strong

Origin of impassible

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Late Latin word impassībilis. See im-2, passible
Related formsim·pas·si·bil·i·ty, im·pas·si·ble·ness, nounim·pas·si·bly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for impassible

Historical Examples of impassible

  • Still grave and impassible, the Cardinal looked at her and waited.

  • She lifted up her lips and kissed Henry Dunbar's impassible face.

    Henry Dunbar

    M. E. Braddon

  • That face was as pale as death: but cold, stern, and impassible.

    Henry Dunbar

    M. E. Braddon

  • Almayer looked at her furtively, but the face was as impassible as ever.

    Almayer's Folly

    Joseph Conrad

  • Up to that moment the Chief's countenance had been impassible.

    Burlesques

    William Makepeace Thackeray

British Dictionary definitions for impassible

impassible

adjective rare

not susceptible to pain or injury
impassive or unmoved
Derived Formsimpassibility or impassibleness, nounimpassibly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for impassible
adj.

"incapable of feeling pain, exempt from suffering," mid-14c., from Old French impassible (13c.), from Church Latin impassibilis "incapable of passion," from assimilated form of in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + passibilis, from passio "suffering" (see passion). Related: Impassibility.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper