Impasible

Impasible is an adjective used in several Romance languages, most notably Spanish, to describe someone unmoved, impassive, or indifferent to emotional stimuli or pain. In English, impasible is rare and is typically encountered as a variant or mistaken form of impassible or impassable; speakers more often use impassive to describe a person who shows little emotion, or impassable for something that cannot be passed.

Etymology and cognates: the term derives from Latin impassibilis, formed from in- (not) + passibilis (capable of suffering). This lineage is reflected across Romance languages: Spanish impasible, French impassible, Italian impassibile, Portuguese impassível. The sense generally aligns with impassibility, or the broader idea of emotional or sensory insensitivity.

Usage notes: in Spanish, impasible conveys stoic or unmoved demeanor, as in “Se mostró impasible ante las noticias.” In religious or philosophical discussions, the related English term impassible is more common, especially in the context of theological discussions of God’s immutability. In modern English prose, impasible is scarcely used outside linguistic discussion, glossaries, or historical texts, where it may be cited as a nonstandard or archaic form.

Related terms: impassable (not able to be passed), impassible (not subject to suffering or feeling; standard in English in specific contexts), impassivity or impassiveness (the quality of remaining emotionally unmoved).

See also: impassive, impassibility, immutability.