insensate
UK: ɪnˈsɛnseɪt | US: ɪnˈsɛnseɪt
adj. lacking physical sensation; unconscious
adj. devoid of sensibility or understanding; foolish
adj. unfeeling; cruel
insensate = in<not> + sens<feel> + ate<adjective suffix>
- in-: A Latin prefix meaning "not" or "without."
- sens-: Derived from Latin sentire ("to feel"), forming the root of words like "sense" and "sensation."
- -ate: A suffix used to form adjectives, often indicating a state or quality.
Etymology Origin:
The word "insensate" originates from Latin insensatus, combining in- (negation) + sensatus ("endowed with sense"). It entered Middle English via Old French, initially describing physical numbness but later expanding to emotional or intellectual dullness. The morphemes reflect a clear progression: absence (in-) of the capacity to feel (sens-), resulting in a state (-ate) of lifelessness or cruelty.
The patient remained insensate after the anesthesia.
His insensate remarks offended everyone in the room.
The dictator’s insensate policies ignored human suffering.
Trauma left her arm temporarily insensate.
Critics dismissed the argument as insensate and illogical.