stolid
UK: ˈstɒlɪd | US: ˈstɑːlɪd
adj. showing little or no emotion; unemotional or impassive
adj. (archaic) physically or mentally dull; sluggish
stolid = stol<firm, dull> + id<adjective suffix>
- stol<firm, dull>: From Latin stolidus (dull, stupid), derived from stultus (foolish). The root implies a lack of sensitivity or responsiveness.
- id<adjective suffix>: A suffix forming adjectives, often indicating a state or quality (e.g., fluid, lucid).
Etymology Origin:
The word stolid traces back to Latin stolidus, which originally meant "foolish" or "dull-witted." Over time, its meaning shifted to emphasize emotional impassivity rather than intellectual dullness. The morpheme stol- reflects the idea of rigidity or lack of animation, while -id marks it as an adjective. The evolution mirrors how societal perceptions of "dullness" expanded from mental slowness to emotional reserve.
His stolid expression gave no hint of the turmoil inside.
The stolid guard remained unmoved by the crowd's pleas.
She faced the criticism with stolid indifference.
The stolid pace of the bureaucracy frustrated everyone.
Despite the joke, his stolid demeanor never cracked.