adj.
Pronunciation: ( ˌ )in- ' sen(t)-s ə -b ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin insensibilis, from in- + sensibilis sensible
Date: 14th century
1 : IMPERCEPTIBLE <dampened by an insensible dew> broadly : SLIGHT , GRADUAL < insensible motion>
2 : incapable or bereft of feeling or sensation: as a : not endowed with life or spirit : INSENTIENT < insensible earth> b : UNCONSCIOUS <knocked insensible by a sudden blow> c : lacking sensory perception or ability to react < insensible to pain>
3 a : lacking emotional response : APATHETIC , INDIFFERENT < insensible to fear> b : UNAWARE < insensible of their danger>
4 archaic : STUPID , SENSELESS
5 : not intelligible : MEANINGLESS
6 : lacking delicacy or refinement
– in · sen · si · bil · i · ty \ ( ˌ )in- ˌ sen(t)-s ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– in · sen · si · ble · ness \ ( ˌ )in- ' sen(t)-s ə -b ə l-n ə s \ noun
– in · sen · si · bly \ -bl ē \ adverb