13 October 2014

desultory

[des-uh l-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

adjective

1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful:
desultory conversation.
2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random:
a desultory remark.

Origin

Latin

1575-1585; < Latin dēsultōrius pertaining to a dēsultor (a circus rider who jumps from one horse to another), equivalent to dēsul-, variant stem of dēsilīre to jump down ( dē- de- + -silīre, combining form of salīre to leap) + -tōrius -tory1

Related forms

desultorily, adverb
desultoriness, noun

Synonyms

1. See haphazard.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for desultory

– The complexity of the field ensures that all too many graduate projects end up with only desultory results.
– It helps that he is by nature a desultory, recessive fellow.
– This sort of thing went on for a while in a desultory, unplanned fashion.

Anagram

sultry ode
ye old rust

Today’s aphorism

Shine on you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your welcome with random precision, rode on the steel breeze.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions, come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!

– Pink Floyd, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, from the album Wish You Were Here

On this day

13 October 54AD – death of Claudius, Roman Emperor.

13 October 1307 – Pope Clement V orders the overthrow, arrest and torture of Knights Templar in France. This is believed to be the origin of Black Friday or Friday the 13th being unlucky.