n.
Pronunciation: ' le-th ə r-j ē
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English litargie, from Medieval Latin litargia, from Late Latin lethargia, from Greek l ē thargia, from l ē thargos forgetful, lethargic, irregular from l ē th ē
Date: 14th century
1 : abnormal drowsiness
2 : the quality or state of being lazy, sluggish, or indifferent
synonyms LETHARGY , LANGUOR , LASSITUDE , STUPOR , TORPOR mean physical or mental inertness. LETHARGY implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs <months of lethargy followed my accident>. LANGUOR suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love < languor induced by a tropical vacation>. LASSITUDE stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health <a depression marked by lassitude >. STUPOR implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants <lapsed into an alcoholic stupor >. TORPOR implies a state of suspended animation as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme sluggishness <a once alert mind now in a torpor >.