Indifferents

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Persons who show no particular interest, concern, or sympathy toward others or events ; items or matters regarded as having no special importance or preference
2. Individuals characterized by a lack of strong feelings or attachments ; things considered neutral or without significant distinction in value or choice
3. People displaying neither bias nor enthusiasm, remaining detached from outcomes ; objects or subjects perceived as inconsequential or optional in decision-making processes

Etymology: The plural "indifferents" is the form of "indifferent" used as a noun, meaning people or things regarded as neutral or optional. The adjective came into English from Old French "indifferent", which was borrowed from Latin "indifferens", a word built from "in-", meaning "not", and "differens", the root of "different". Its original sense was "not differing", so things that were indifferent were alike in value and could be treated as equal. That is the key to the noun. In Latin, "indifferentia" and related terms were used for things that were neither good nor bad in themselves, and the plural form picks up that idea. Something belonging to the indifferents is not favoured or rejected, but sits in a neutral middle ground. The meaning of not caring has grown from the older sense of making no difference.

Synonyms: apathetics, unconcerned, disinterested

Antonyms: enthusiasts, passionates