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desultory

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The definition of desultory is something, someone or a conversation with no plan or purpose that wanders from one thing to the next.

(adjective)

An example of desultory is wandering around and not knowing where you are going.
An example of desultory is a conversation that doesn't flow well.

See desultory in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

passing from one thing to another in an aimless way; disconnected; not methodical: a desultory conversation
lacking direct relevance; random; incidental: a desultory observation

Origin: L desultorius < desultor, vaulter < desultus, pp. of desilire, to leap down < de-, down, from + salire, to leap: see salient

Related Forms:

desultorily adverb
desultoriness noun

See desultory in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Having no set plan; haphazard or random. See Synonyms at chance.
Moving or jumping from one thing to another; disconnected: a desultory speech.

Origin:

Origin: Latin dēsultōrius, leaping

Origin: , from dēsultor, a leaper

Origin: , from dēsultus

Origin: , past participle of dēsilīre, to leap down

Origin: : dē-, de-

Origin: + salīre, to jump; see sel- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

desˌul·toˈri·ly adverb

desˈul·toˌri·ness noun

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