Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having thick skin: Literally, relating to or characteristic of pachyderms (large, thick-skinned mammals like elephants, rhinoceroses, and hippopotamuses).
   • Emotionally hardened; insensitive: Figuratively, describing a person who is unfeeling, callous, or not easily affected by criticism or the feelings of others.

Usage Examples

• Literal (Zoological):
  • The elephant's pachydermatous skin protects it from thorns and insect bites.
  • Rhinoceroses are pachydermatous animals.
• Figurative (Insensitive):
  • His pachydermatous attitude towards the complaints of his staff created a hostile work environment.
  • You need to be somewhat pachydermatous to survive the harsh criticism of online forums.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in a formal or literary context to imply a severe degree of insensitivity, beyond mere casual disregard.
• It can describe an institutional or systemic indifference, not just a personal trait.
  • The corporation's pachydermatous response to the environmental disaster shocked the public.

Variants and Related Words

• Pachyderm (n): A type of large, thick-skinned mammal (e.g., elephant, rhinoceros).
  • The zoo has a section dedicated to pachyderms.
• Pachydermatously (adv): In a thick-skinned or insensitive manner.
  • He pachydermatously ignored all appeals for mercy.

Synonyms

• Callous: Showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.
• Indurate: Hardened in feeling, especially against moral influence; unfeeling.
• Thick-skinned: Not easily offended or upset by criticism.
• Insensitive: Showing or feeling no concern for others' feelings.

Antonyms

• Sensitive: Quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences; easily offended or upset.
• Compassionate: Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.
• Thin-skinned: Very sensitive to criticism or insults.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Thick-skinned: (An idiom with a similar figurative meaning to 'pachydermatous') Not easily upset by criticism.
  • Politicians must be thick-skinned to handle constant scrutiny.
• To have a hide like a rhinoceros: (An idiom) To be impervious to insult or criticism.
  • After years in the business, she has a hide like a rhinoceros.

Adjective

1. emotionally hardened
   • a callous indifference to suffering
   • cold-blooded and indurate to public opinion
2. of or relating to or characteristic of pachyderms