IMPERSONAL


Meaning of IMPERSONAL in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ (ˌ)im-ˈpərs-nəl, -ˈpər-sə-nəl ]

adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin impersonalis, from Latin in- + Late Latin personalis personal

Date: 15th century

1.

a. : denoting the verbal action of an unspecified agent and hence used with no expressed subject (as methinks ) or with a merely formal subject (as rained in it rained )

b. of a pronoun : indefinite

2.

a. : having no personal reference or connection

impersonal criticism

b. : not engaging the human personality or emotions

the machine as compared with the hand tool is an impersonal agency — John Dewey

c. : not existing as a person : not having human qualities or characteristics

• im·per·son·al·i·ty -ˌpər-sə-ˈna-lə-tē noun

• im·per·son·al·ly -ˈpərs-nə-lē, -ˈpər-sə-nə-lē adverb

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.