insensible

[in-sen-suh-buhl]

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adjective

incapable of feeling or perceiving; deprived of sensation; unconscious, as a person after a violent blow.

without or not subject to a particular feeling or sensation: insensible to shame; insensible to the cold.

unaware; unconscious; inappreciative: We are not insensible of your kindness.

not perceptible by the senses; imperceptible: insensible transitions.

unresponsive in feeling.

not susceptible of emotion or passion; void of any feeling.

not endowed with feeling or sensation, as matter; inanimate.

Nearby words

Origin of insensible

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Latin word insēnsibilis. See in-³, sensible

SYNONYMS FOR insensible

5, 6. apathetic, unfeeling, indifferent, cool; dull, passionless, emotionless, torpid.

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Related formsin·sen·si·bly, adverbin·sen·si·bil·i·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for insensibility

In poisonous doses it depresses the circulation and the nerves generally, but it causes no stupor or insensibility.
The Action of Medicines in the System|Frederick William Headland
This would of course have reduced you to a partial state of insensibility, gradually going on to complete coma.
Masterpieces of Mystery In Four Volumes|Various
Again, the insensibility not gone after 30 minutes, another dose given, and so repeated the third time.
On Snake-Poison: its Action and its Antidote|A. Mueller
Insensibility soon followed this exhortation, and he was carried home, but recovered ultimately.
Wrestling and Wrestlers:|Jacob Robinson

Yet not such a slavish one neither, as should rather seem the effect of her insensibility, than judgment or affection.
Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded|Samuel Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for insensibility

insensible

adjective

lacking sensation or consciousness

(foll by of or to) unaware (of) or indifferent (to)insensible to suffering

thoughtless or callous

a less common word for imperceptible

Derived Formsinsensibility or insensibleness, nouninsensibly, 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 insensibility

insensibility

late 14c., from Late Latin insensibilitas, from Latin insensibilis (see insensible).

insensible

adj.

c.1400, "lacking the power to feel with the senses," from Latin insensibilis "that cannot be felt," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + sensibilis (see sensible). Also sometimes in Middle English "incapable of being felt or perceived by the senses" (early 15c.). Meaning "unconscious" is attested from early 15c. See insensate.

Medicine definitions for insensibility

insensible

[ĭn-sĕn′sə-bəl]

adj.

Having lost consciousness, especially temporarily; unconscious.

Lacking physical sensation or the power to react, as to pain or cold; numb.

insensible

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of insensible

Examples from the Web for insensibility

insensible

adjective

insensibility

insensible

insensible

adj.