Desultory
Definition
Aimless, half-hearted, lacking plan or purpose; from Latin desultor, a circus rider who leapt between horses.
Etymology
From Latin *desultorius* — pertaining to a *desultor*, a circus rider who leaped between horses mid-gallop. The image is of constant jumping rather than steady riding.
Synonyms
Aimless, haphazard, cursory, fitful
In a sentence
- She made a desultory attempt to clean, then gave up.
Tags
Source
commonplace words.md