The phrase "stony hearted" is commonly used to describe someone who is unfeeling and unsympathetic. In terms of its spelling, the initial consonant cluster "st" is followed by the vowel sound "/oʊ/" (as in "stone") and the consonant cluster "-ny", which is pronounced like "nee". The final syllable "-ed" is pronounced with a "t" sound (-tɪd), even though it looks like it should be pronounced with a "d" sound. So, the IPA transcription of "stony hearted" would be /ˈstoʊni ˈhɑrtəd/.
The term "stony-hearted" is an adjective used to describe an individual who is lacking in compassion, sympathy, or any form of emotional sensitivity. It refers to someone who is cold, callous, and unfeeling towards the sufferings or emotions of others. The word "stony" reflects an image of hardness, rigidity, or a lack of warmth, akin to a heart made of stone.
A person with a stony-hearted nature demonstrates an unwillingness or inability to empathize with others, showing no remorse or concern for other people's pain or distress. They may exhibit a general sense of indifference, appearing detached or unaffected by the emotions or problems of those around them. Such individuals are often insensitive to the needs and feelings of others, disregarding any sense of moral responsibility or obligation to provide support, comfort, or assistance.
The term "stony-hearted" can be used to describe someone who displays persistent unkindness, cruelty, or merciless behavior towards others, intentionally inflicting emotional harm or remaining indifferent when confronted with the suffering of others. It suggests a lack of emotional connection or an inability to form emotional bonds with others, rooted in a deeply ingrained insensitivity. The adjective "stony-hearted" highlights an emotional state characterized by a complete absence of warmth, compassion, and empathy.
The word "stony-hearted" is a compound adjective composed of the word "stony" and the word "hearted".
The word "stony" refers to the quality or characteristic of something being hard like stone or consisting of stone. It derives from the Old English word "stanig", which means "composed of stone" or "made of stone". This word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "stainaz" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*stai-no-", both of which also mean "stone".
The word "hearted" is an English suffix derived from the word "heart", which refers to the organ responsible for pumping blood in the body, but is also commonly associated with feelings, emotions, and the center of a person's being or character. The suffix "-ed" simply attaches to "heart" to create an adjective.