Final answer:
The word 'stolid' means impassive or showing little emotion, which describes a person who appears indifferent or unreactive to their surroundings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The meaning of the word 'stolid' is impassive or showing little emotion. When someone is described as stolid, they might have a demeanor that seems unresponsive or indifferent to what's going on around them. This is reflected in the second example provided, where a sobbing person is described with a 'fair, calm face' and a 'dull stare', illustrating a certain detachment or lack of expressiveness, which is synonymous with being stolid.