insensible
adj/ɪnˈsɛns.ɪ.bəl/ · [ɪnˈsɛn̥sɪbl̩]
Etymology From Middle English insensible, from Old French insensible, from Late Latin īnsēnsibilis.
1
Unable to be perceived by the senses.
- Two small and almost insensible pricks were found upon Cleopatra's arm.1650, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], →OCLC:
- They fall away, / And languish with insensible decay.1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
2
Incapable or deprived of physical sensation.
- “[…] Captain Markam had been found lying half-insensible, gagged and bound, on the floor of the sitting-room, his hands and feet tightly pinioned, and a woollen comforter wound closely round his mouth and neck ; whilst Mrs. Markham's jewel-case, containing valuable jewellery and the secret plans of Port Arthur, had disappeared.[…]”1904–1905, Baroness Orczy [i.e., Emma Orczy], “The Fate of the Artemis”, in The Case of Miss Elliott, London: T[homas] Fisher Unwin, published 1905, →OCLC; republished as popular edition, London: Greening & Co., 1909, OCLC 11192831, quoted in The Case of Miss Elliott (ebook no. 2000141h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg of Australia, February 2020:
- The Leicester Daily Mercury reflected on how these concerns were the result of changing ways of getting around: "It might sound a bit crazy or just a little revolting that at Christmas works parties, some should drink themselves into a near-insensible state... This was not serious when they used public transport, but today more men and women use their own cars."2023 December 27, David Turner, “Silent lines...”, in RAIL, number 999, page 29:
3
Unable to be understood; unintelligible.
4
Not sensible or reasonable; meaningless.
- If it make the indictment be insensible or uncertain, […]it shall be quashed.1736, Matthew Hale, Historia Placitorum Coronæ:
5
Incapable of mental feeling; indifferent.
- Lost in their loves, insensible of shame.1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
- In spite of her deep-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man's affection[…]1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], Pride and Prejudice: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC:
6
Incapable of emotional feeling; callous; apathetic.
- Derived terms
- insensibility, insensibleness, insensiblist, insensibly
- Related terms
- insensitive, nonsensible, nonsensical, senseless, unsensible, unsensitive