Word of the Day: Desultory

(Adjective) Pronunciation: ['de-zêl-to-ree]

Definition: Moving disconnectedly without focus; lacking enthusiam, sluggish.

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Usage: Today's word is an adjective that has moved out on its own and left its mother behind. It originally meant "like a desultor," a desultor being an equestrian performer in a circus who leaps back and forth between loping steeds. The adverb is the regular "desultorily" and the noun, "desultoriness."

Suggested Usage: As I write this, I am watching desultory leaves falling from the sugar maple in my back yard. You might think they were choosing a spot to land, seeing the brilliant carpet they are weaving across the lawn. People, on the other hand, work better in focus, "Logan's desultory work habits make it highly unlikely that he will finish a job." Did you ever meet someone whose desultory attempts at conversation made it clear they did not want to talk to you? Me, neither.

Etymology: Latin desultor "leaper" from desultus, past participle of desilire "to leap down" based on de- "down" + salire "jump." Akin to "salacious" (Latin salax "fond of leaping, lustful"), "salient" (leaping out), "sally" (also from salire via French), and possibly "salmon" from a word meaning "jumping fish" in Gaulish. Back to my leaf-watching.

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