inexpressiveadj.
/ɪnɛkˈsprɛsɪv/ 1. = inexpressible adj. archaic. (In modern writers probably in imitation of Shakespeare As You Like It iii. ii. 10, or Milton Lycidas 176, where unexpressive is the word.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > unintelligibility > inexpressibility > [adjective]
unsayinglyOE
wordlessa1200
unanemneda1225
unspeaking1340
untellablea1382
unenarrable1382
unspeakablea1400
ineffablec1450
inenarrablec1450
indicible1480
enarrable1482
inexplicable1502
inspeakable?1504
innominable1532
unoutspeakable1535
unexpressable1548
innarrable1554
inpronunciable1554
uncommunicable1555
inexprimablea1577
unexpressiblea1586
unutterablea1586
expressless1590
nameless1597
recountless1601
inutterable1603
indeclarable1610
unnameable1610
unreportable1611
speakless1612
unexpressivea1616
inexpressiblea1631
utterless1643
inexpressive1652
unwordablec1660
incommunicable1694
paintless1729
descriptionless1749
undelineable1767
describeless1799
indefinable1810
undescribable1818
unqualifiable1822
untelling1823
utterless1832
unpindownable1915
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > very great > and indescribable
untalelyc1225
unspeaking1340
unsayingc1350
untellablea1382
unspeakablea1400
ineffablec1450
unrehearsable1513
unutterablea1586
unrelatable1621
inexpressiblea1631
inexpressive1652
undescribable1728
indescribable1785
untelling1823
1652 E. Benlowes Theophila v. xxxix. 72 On the Vision inexpressive Rayes did wait.
1744 M. Akenside Pleasures Imagination i. 124 Then the inexpressive strain Diffuses its inchantment.
1797 T. J. Mathias Pursuits of Lit.: Pt. IV 21 To mortal ken he dares unveil The inexpressive form in semblance frail.
1856 E. B. Browning Aurora Leigh vii. 301 Those soft-winged eyes..'Twixt trembling lids of inexpressive joy.
1866 J. H. Newman Dream of Gerontius (1874) 14 I feel in me An inexpressive lightness and a sense Of freedom.
2. Not expressive; not expressing a meaning, feeling, character, etc.; wanting in expression.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > absence of meaning > [adjective]
emptya1225
sleevelessc1450
dumb1531
insensible1538
senseless1579
weetless1579
unsignificant1603
surd1605
matterless1612
unmeaning1632
non-significative1633
brute1642
shelly1648
insignificant1651
insignificative1660
unsignificative1664
unsignifying1665
unsensed1667
meaningless1728
bilka1734
meanless1734
inexpressive1744
unideal1751
unexpressive1755
idealess1793
unsuggestive1797
tenorless1821
themeless1840
nonsensible1851
inarticulate1855
purportless1865
expressionless1871
vacuous1872
contentless1886
unmeaningful1897
the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [adjective] > not manifesting emotion
stolidc1600
sodden1601
inexpressive1744
neutral1760
expressionless1831
fishy-eyed1836
undemonstrative1846
contained1882
dead-pan1928
stone-faced1932
tight-assed1961
tight-ass1969
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > weakness or feebleness > [adjective] > vapid or insipid > inexpressive
inexpressive1744
unemphatic1800
unexpressive1851
1744 M. Akenside Pleasures Imagination iii. 285 To behold, in lifeless things, The inexpressive semblance of himself, Of thought and passion.
1761 Lloyd Prol. Hecuba (R.) O! glorious times, when actors thus could strike, Expressive, inexpressive, all alike!
1791 W. Robertson Hist. Disquis. Knowl. Ancients India App. 280 Finished in a stile considerably superior to the hard inexpressive manner of the Egyptians.
1834 T. Medwin Angler in Wales I. 239 His features are inexpressive of intellect.
1846 C. G. F. Gore Sketches Eng. Char. I. 334 That blank and inexpressive vacuity, which an able diplomatist is careful to assume as a vizard.
c1860 Faber Old Labourer x His inexpressive eye.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
<
adj.1652