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impassible

[im-pas-uh-buh l]
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adjective
  1. incapable of suffering pain.
  2. incapable of suffering harm.
  3. incapable of emotion; impassive.
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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. 2018

Related Words

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

Examples from the Web for impassible

Historical Examples

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

    The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete

    Emile Zola

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

    Henry Dunbar

    M. E. Braddon

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

    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
  1. not susceptible to pain or injury
  2. impassive or unmoved
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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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper