Indifference, n.
Etymology: [L. indifferentia similarity, want of difference: cf. F. indifférence.]
1. The quality or state of being indifferent, or not making a difference; want of sufficient importance to constitute a difference; absence of weight; insignificance.
2. Passableness; mediocrity.
3. Impartiality; freedom from prejudice, prepossession, or bias. He . . . is far from such indifference and equity as ought and must be in judges which he saith I assign. Sir T. More.
4. Absence of anxiety or interest in respect to what is presented to the mind; unconcernedness; as, entire indifference to all that occurs. Indifference can not but be criminal, when it is conversant about objects which are so far from being of an indifferent nature, that they are highest importance. Addison.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Carelessness; negligence; unconcern; apathy; insensibility; coldness; lukewarmness.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for indifference; he lists it under apathy, neglect.
Where he writes about it:
Indifference and insensibility designate the absence of feeling toward certain persons or things; apathy, entire absence of feeling. — from apathy
Indifference is a want of interest; insensibility is a want of feeling; unconcern has reference to consequences. — from apathy