pachydermatous
/,pæki'də:mətəs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- emotionally hardened
- a callous indifference to suffering
- cold-blooded and indurate to public opinion
- of or relating to or characteristic of pachyderms