Common from c. 1600 to c. 1660.
1. Not influenced or swayed by passion or strong feeling; calm, self-possessed: a. Of persons, disposition, etc.
1593. Sidney’s Arcadia (1598), 439. That well appeased gesture, vnpassionate nature bestoweth vpon mankind.
1604. T. Wright, Passions, II. i. 56. That which an vnpassionate mind detested, a passionate soule most effectually pursueth.
1673. Cave, Prim. Chr., II. i. 5. We are to be of a week and unpassionate mind.
1747. Carte, Hist. Eng., I. 188. True wisdom … is ever cool and unpassionate when she takes a resolution.
1852. M. Arnold, Summer Night, 80. Ye Heavens, whose pure dark regions … though so great Are yet untroubled and unpassionate.
b. Of actions, feelings, etc.
a. 1600. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., VI. v. § 4. A calm, unpassionate, and just assignation of dreadful punishment.
1610. Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, XV. xxv. 565. Of Gods vnpassionate and vnaltering anger.
1683. E. Hooker, Pref. Pordage’s Mystic Div., 48. A prettie and unpassionate replie, that a Steward once made to his angri Lord.
1702. C. Mather, Magn. Chr., II. ix. 29/1. He did with a very Unpassionate Aspect and Carriage then say, Friends, I thank you all.
† 2. Unprejudiced, impartial. Obs.
1602. T. Fitzherbert, Apol., 6. But whether it be reason … I leaue it to the iudgment of any indifferent & vnpassionate man.
a. 1648. Digby, Priv. Mem. (1827), 243. I am sure you will say, who are yet an indifferent and unpassionate judge, that [etc.].
