desultory

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Pronunciation

• (British) IPA: /ˈdɛs.əl.t(ə).ɹi/, /ˈdɛz.əl.t(ə).ɹi/
• (America) IPA: /ˈdɛs.əlˌtɔɹ.i/, /ˈdɛz.əlˌtɔɹ.i/

Adjective

desultory

1. Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order, planning, or rational connection; lacking logical sequence.

   Synonyms: disconnected, unmethodical, aimless, quodlibetic, quodlibetical

   He wandered round, cleaning up in a desultory way.

   I teach a class of desultory minds.

2. Out of course; by the way; not connected with the subject.

   I made a desultory remark while I was talking to my friend.

   She made a desultory attempt at conversation.

3. Disappointing in performance or progress.
4. (obsolete) Leaping, skipping or flitting about, generally in a random or unsteady manner.

Related terms

• salient

Translations

• German: sprunghaft
• Portuguese: desultório
• Russian: беспорядочный
• Spanish: incoherente

Translations

• Russian: несвязный

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