Name: VIPPER 2007-09-15 11:52
I learned a new word today.
Desultory \Des"ul*to*ry\, a. [L. desultorius, fr. desultor a
leaper, fr. desilire, desultum, to leap down; de + salire to
leap. See Saltation.]
1. Leaping or skipping about. [Obs.]
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I shot at it [a bird], but it was so desultory that
I missed my aim. --Gilbert
White.
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2. Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another,
without order or rational connection; without logical
sequence; disconnected; immethodical; aimless; as,
desultory minds. --Atterbury.
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He [Goldsmith] knew nothing accurately; his reading
had been desultory. --Macaulay.
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3. Out of course; by the way; as a digression; not connected
with the subject; as, a desultory remark.
Syn: Rambling; roving; immethodical; discursive; inconstant;
unsettled; cursory; slight; hasty; loose.
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