i Register
In some senses, desultory is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.
desultory
UK /ˈdɛs.əl.t(ə).ɹi/ US /ˈdɛs.əlˌtɔɹ.i/
adj 4
Collocations
4ADJ.
eccentric, spasmodic
VERB + DESULTORY
pipes, roamed, studies, subject
DESULTORY + NOUN
conversation, fashion, way
PREP.
from, in, up
Definitions
adj
1
Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order, planning, or rational connection; lacking logical sequence.
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.
Near-synonyms: half-assed, halfhearted
As we stood waiting for the departure time with the setting sun twinkling on the great brass dome of our 2-4-0, the sound of church bells was the only one apart from the measured tread of the guard slowly pacing towards his van, and, standing at an open window, I more than once heard the fireman's "Right away!" to his mate in acknowledgement of a desultory wave of the unfurled green flag.
4
Leaping, skipping or flitting about, generally in a random or unsteady manner.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
He wandered round, cleaning up in a desultory way.
Wiktionary02
I teach a class of desultory minds.
Wiktionary03
subject to desultory fire from the enemy
Wiktionary04
Most of the others also lit their pipes and a desultory conversation ensued.
Tatoeba · #83736605
His studies are very desultory and eccentric, but he has amassed a lot of out-of-the-way knowledge which would astonish his professors.
Tatoeba · #628968406
The conversation had roamed in a desultory spasmodic fashion from golf clubs to the causes of the change in the obliquity of the ecliptic.
Tatoeba · #7043874Usage Notes
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