inexpressivity

inexpressivity (uncountable)

1. The quality of being inexpressive.
   • 1943–5, Accent, page 182:

     The critics also would discover an individual structure in the score: a singular, artful alternation of the savage in mood and movement and the dreamy and exalted; a juxtaposition of heavy march-rhythms and dragging or ecstatic rhythms; and abrupt juxtapositions of inexpressivity and extreme expressivity.

   • 1951, J[oseph] A[ugustus] Winter, A Doctor’s Report on Dianetics: Theory and Therapy, page 117:

     By demonstrating, even on this superficial level, that it is possible to cry without having pain the degree of emotional inexpressivity is lessened.

   • 1957, Abram Chasins, Speaking of Pianists…, page 52:

     Particularly ingenious, I think, is the bilingualism: the English “notes-art” implying the pianist’s inexpressivity, and the German “no-zart” (zart meaning tender or delicate).

• inexpressiveness

• expressivity