desultory
adjective
Lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm; occurring randomly or occasionally without sustained effort or focus.
Etymology
From Latin "desultorius" (leaping, superficial), from "desultor" (a circus rider who jumps from horse to horse), from "desilire" (to leap down).
Examples in Use
- 1.
"Their desultory conversation jumped from topic to topic."
- 2.
"After a desultory search, he gave up looking for his keys."
- 3.
"The desultory pace of reform frustrated activists."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
The circus rider etymology perfectly captures "desultory" meaning—jumping between horses without staying on any one. Roman "desultores" were admired for their agility, but the word took on negative connotations of unfocus.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 9 letters (D, E, S, U, L, T, O, R, Y)
Scrabble Value: 13 points
Tip: Words ending in "RY" are often good scoring opportunities.
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