Coldbloodedness

/ˈkoʊld.blʌ.dɪd.nəs/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of being emotionless, unfeeling, or capable of committing violence without remorse.

Etymology

From coldblooded plus the suffix -ness, indicating a quality or state. The abstract noun form emerged to describe this character trait more formally in psychological and legal contexts.

Kelly Says

In criminal psychology, coldbloodedness is considered a marker of certain dangerous traits—but it's important to know this is very different from the scientific term for reptiles! The metaphor stuck around even though it's biologically misleading.

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