desultory
[ des-uh l-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]
/ ˈdɛs əlˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /
adjective
lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
Origin of desultory
OTHER WORDS FROM desultory
des·ul·to·ri·ly, adverb des·ul·to·ri·ness, nounWords nearby desultory
desulfur,
desulfurase,
desulfurate,
desulfurize,
desulphurize,
desultory,
det,
det.,
det. in dup.,
detach,
detached
Example sentences from the Web for desultory
British Dictionary definitions for desultory
desultory
/ (ˈdɛsəltərɪ, -trɪ) /
adjective
passing or jumping from one thing to another, esp in a fitful way; unmethodical; disconnected
occurring in a random or incidental way; haphazard
a desultory thought
Derived forms of desultory
desultorily, adverb desultoriness, nounWord Origin for desultory
C16: from Latin
dēsultōrius, relating to one who vaults or jumps, hence superficial, from
dēsilīre to jump down, from
de- +
salīre to jump