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Today's Word "Desultory"

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Published in Vocabulary

desultory \DE-zehl-to-ree\ (adjective) - Moving disconnectedly without focus; lacking enthusiam, sluggish.

"All agreed that Carl's desultory work habits made it highly unlikely that he would finish a job."

 

Latin desultor "leaper" from desultus, past participle of desilire "to leap down" based on de- "down" + salire "jump." Akin to "salacious" (Latin salax "fond of leaping, lustful"), "salient" (leaping out), "sally" (also from salire via French), and possibly "salmon" from a word meaning "jumping fish" in Gaulish. Back to my leaf-watching.


 

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