insensibility

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   lack of physical sensation or awareness; unconsciousness

   The anesthetic produced temporary insensibility to pain during the operation.

2. 2
   noun

   lack of emotional sensitivity or concern

   His insensibility to their grief made the apology sound hollow.

3. 3
   noun

   inability to perceive or appreciate something

   Her insensibility to irony caused her to take the satire literally.

Borrowed through Old French insensibilité from Late Latin insensibilitas, based on insensibilis 'imperceptible or without feeling.' The Latin form combines in- 'not' with sensibilis 'perceptible by the senses.' English developed both physical and emotional meanings.

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