impersonal

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Adjective 1.2.1 Related terms 1.2.2 Derived terms 1.2.3 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From French impersonnel < Latin impersonalis < Latin im- (“‘not’”) + personalis (“‘personal’”)

[edit] Adjective

impersonal (comparative more impersonal, superlative most impersonal)

1. not personal; not representing a person; not having personality

   An almighty but impersonal power, called Fate. –Sir J. Stephen.

2. Lacking warmth or emotion; cold.

   She sounded impersonal as she gave her report of the Nazi death camps.

3. (grammar, of a verb or other word) not having a subject, or having a third person pronoun without an antecedent

   The verb “rain” is impersonal in sentences like “It’s raining.”

[edit] Related terms

• personal

[edit] Derived terms

• impersonal verb

[edit] Translations