apathy
UK[ˈæpəθi]US[ˈæpəθi]
n
Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
Morpheme Breakdown
a
pathy
a
without
pathy
feeling
Etymology
The word 'apathy' has a direct lineage from ancient Greek philosophy into modern English. It is formed from the Greek prefix a- (meaning "without") and the noun pathos (meaning "feeling" or "suffering"). In Stoic philosophy, apatheia was a prized state of being free from suffering and disruptive passions, denoting a rational composure. Over time, as the term passed through Late Latin (apatheia) and French (apathie), its meaning generalized and shifted from a disciplined indifference to passions to a more common, often negative, sense of a general lack of interest or emotion.
Analysis
Structure: a (without) + pathy (feeling)
a-: A prefix of Greek origin meaning "without," "not," or "lacking."
pathy: A combining form from Greek pathos, meaning "feeling," "suffering," or "experience."
Examples
Public apathy towards the election was reflected in the low voter turnout.
He viewed the constant bad news with an attitude of weary apathy.
The charity campaign aimed to shake people out of their apathy about the crisis.