16 uses
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Definition
without interest
in various senses, including:
- unconcerned — as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
- unsympathetic — as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
- not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) — as in "an indifferent performance"
- impartial — as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
- "If you wish," she answered indifferently.2 — Maiden No More (12% in)
- Tess began to perceive that a man in indifferent health, who proposed to start on a journey before one in the morning, ought not to be at an inn at this late hour celebrating his ancient blood.1 — The Maiden (25% in)
- The descendants of these bygone owners felt it almost as a slight to their family when the house which had so much of their affection, had cost so much of their forefathers' money, and had been in their possession for several generations before the d'Urbervilles came and built here, was indifferently turned into a fowl-house by Mrs Stoke-d'Urberville as soon as the property fell into hand according to law.1 — The Maiden (73% in)
- When the infant had taken its fill, the young mother sat it upright in her lap, and looking into the far distance, dandled it with a gloomy indifference that was almost dislike; then all of a sudden she fell to violently kissing it some dozens of times, as if she could never leave off, the child crying at the vehemence of an onset which strangely combined passionateness with contempt.2 — Maiden No More (59% in)
- "Oh, if ye can swaller that, be it so," he said indifferently, while holding up the pail that she sipped from.3 — The Rally (14% in)
- These were the cows that milked hardest of all; for his journey-milkmen being more or less casually hired, he would not entrust this half-dozen to their treatment, lest, from indifference, they should not milk them fully; nor to the maids, lest they should fail in the same way for lack of finger-grip; with the result that in course of time the cows would "go azew"—that is, dry up.3 — The Rally (15% in)
- He spent years and years in desultory studies, undertakings, and meditations; he began to evince considerable indifference to social forms and observances.3 — The Rally (31% in)
- "So have you—so have we all," said Marian, with the dry frankness of complete indifference to opinion.3 — The Rally (70% in)
- She took these reproaches in their bulk simply, not in their particulars; he did not love her as he had loved her hitherto, and to all else she was indifferent.5 — The Woman Pays (7% in)
- The night came in, and took up its place there, unconcerned and indifferent; the night which had already swallowed up his happiness, and was now digesting it listlessly; and was ready to swallow up the happiness of a thousand other people with as little disturbance or change of mien.5 — The Woman Pays (11% in)
- His mood transmuted itself into a dogged indifference till at length he fancied he was looking on his own existence with the passive interest of an outsider.5 — The Woman Pays (43% in)
- Was he really indifferent?5 — The Woman Pays (88% in)
- Their lodgings were in a cottage a little further along the lane, but they came and assisted Tess in her departure, and argued that she should dress up in her very prettiest guise to captivate the hearts of her parents-in-law; though she, knowing of the austere and Calvinistic tenets of old Mr Clare, was indifferent, and even doubtful.5 — The Woman Pays (89% in)
- "I have done nothing!" said he indifferently.6 — The Convert (5% in)
- "He is Amby Seedling, the chap who used to sometimes come and help at Talbothays," she explained indifferently.6 — The Convert (14% in)
- I say in all earnestness that it is a shame for parents to bring up their girls in such dangerous ignorance of the gins and nets that the wicked may set for them, whether their motive be a good one or the result of simple indifference.6 — The Convert (17% in)
There are no more uses of "indifferent" in Tess of the d'Urbervilles.
Typical Usage
(best examples)