sloth
sloth definition
sloth (slôt̸h, slät̸h; also, and chiefly Brit, slōt̸h)
noun
- disinclination to work or exert oneself; indolence; laziness; idleness
- Now Rare slowness; delay
- any of a family (Bradypodidae) of slow-moving, tree-dwelling edentate mammals of tropical Central and South America that hang, back down, from branches and feed on fruits and vegetation, including a three-toed species (genus Bradypus) and a two-toed species (genus Choloepus)
- any of various families of extinct, ground-dwelling edentate mammals
Etymology: ME slouthe < slou, slow, used for older slewthe, sleuthe < OE slæwth, sloth < slaw, slow: see slow & -th
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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