Ataraxy

//ˈatəɹaksi// noun

noun ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Ataraxia; freedom from mental disturbance; imperturbability, dogged indifference. uncountable, usually

    "When the Pyrrhonians say, that ataraxy is the chiefe felicitie, which is the immobilitie of judgement, their meaning is not to speake it affirmatively[…]."

  2. 2
    State of psychological calm and tranquility, absence of discomfort, or metabolical inactivity. uncountable, usually

    "Ataraxy can be produced by ataractics, drugs that have a calming or quieting effect."

Example

More examples

"When the Pyrrhonians say, that ataraxy is the chiefe felicitie, which is the immobilitie of judgement, their meaning is not to speake it affirmatively[…]."

Etymology

From Middle French ataraxie, from Ancient Greek ἀταραξία (ataraxía, “impassiveness”), from ἀ- (a-, “not”) + ταράσσω (tarássō, “I disturb”). Doublet of ataraxia.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.