unˈpassionate, a. Now rare.
[un-1 7, 5 b.
Common from c 1600 to c 1660.]
1. Not influenced or swayed by passion or strong feeling; calm, self-possessed: a. Of persons, disposition, etc.
| 1593 Sidney's Arcadia (1598) 439 That well appeased gesture, vnpassionate nature bestoweth vpon mankind. 1604 T. Wright Passions ii. i. 56 That which an vnpassionate mind detested, a passionate soule most effectually pursueth. 1673 Cave Prim. Chr. ii. i. 5 We are to be of a meek and unpassionate mind. 1747 Carte Hist. Eng. I. 188 True wisdom..is ever cool and unpassionate when she takes a resolution. 1852 M. Arnold Summer Night 80 Ye Heavens, whose pure dark regions..though so great Are yet untroubled and unpassionate. |
b. Of actions, feelings, etc.
| a 1600 Hooker Eccl. Pol. vi. v. §4 A calm, unpassionate, and just assignation of dreadful punishment. 1610 Healey St. Aug. Citie of God 532 Gods unpassionate and unaltering anger. 1683 E. Hooker Pref. Pordage's Mystic Div. 48 A prettie and unpassionate replie, that a Steward once made to his angri Lord. 1702 C. Mather Magn. Chr. ii. ix. 29/1 He did with a very Unpassionate Aspect and Carriage then say, Friends, I thank you all. |
† 2. Unprejudiced, impartial. Obs.
| 1602 T. Fitzherbert Apol. 6 But whether it be reason..I leaue it to the iudgment of any indifferent & vnpassionate man. a 1648 Digby Priv. Mem. (1827) 243, I am sure you will say, who are yet an indifferent and unpassionate judge, that [etc.]. |