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1. Dictionary

   desultory

   /ˈdɛs(ə)lt(ə)ri/

   adjective

   • 1. lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm: "a few people were left, dancing in a desultory fashion"
   • ▪ (of conversation or speech) going from one subject to another in a half-hearted way: "the desultory conversation faded"
   • ▪ occurring randomly or occasionally: "desultory passengers were appearing"

   Word Origin late 16th century (also in the literal sense ‘skipping about’): from Latin desultorius ‘superficial’ (literally ‘relating to a vaulter’), from desultor ‘vaulter’, from the verb desilire.

   Derivatives

   • 1. desultorily adverb
   • 2. desultoriness noun

   Scrabble Points: 13

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishDESULTORY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   DESULTORY definition: 1. without a clear plan or purpose and showing little effort or interest: 2. without a clear plan…. Learn more.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryDESULTORY | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   without a clear plan or purpose and showing little effort or interest: She made a desultory attempt at conversation. He wandered around, cleaning up in a desultory way. Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples. having no clear plan or purpose. aimless He was just aimless and confused after being let go from his position.

4. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › desultoryDesultory Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › desultory

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   A desultory student skips from one subject to another without applying serious effort to any particular one. A desultory comment is a digressive one that jumps away from the topic at hand. And a desultory performance is one resulting from an implied lack of steady, focused effort.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishDESULTORY definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Something that is desultory is done in an unplanned and disorganized way, and without enthusiasm. [ formal ] The constables made a desultory attempt to keep them away from the barn.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › desultoryDesultory - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › desultory

   If you lack a definite plan or purpose and flit from one thing to another, your actions are desultory. Some people call such desultory wanderings spontaneous. Others call it "being lost."

7. www.dictionary.com › browse › desultoryDESULTORY Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › desultory

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   Desultory definition: lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful. See examples of DESULTORY used in a sentence.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishdesultory adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Definition of desultory adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

9. www.yourdictionary.com › desultoryDesultory Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com › desultory

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   Desultory definition: Moving or jumping from one thing to another; disconnected.

10. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › desultorydesultory | meaning of desultory in Longman Dictionary of...

    www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › desultory

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    desultory meaning, definition, what is desultory: done without any particular plan or purp...: Learn more.

11. en.wiktionary.org › wiki › desultorydesultory - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

    en.wiktionary.org › wiki › desultory

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    Jun 2, 2024 · desultory (comparative more desultory, superlative most desultory) Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order, planning, or rational connection; lacking logical sequence. Synonyms: disconnected, unmethodical, aimless, quodlibetic, (in conversation) quodlibetical