DESULTORY


Meaning of DESULTORY in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈde-səl-ˌtȯr-ē also ]

-zəl- adjective

Etymology: Latin desultorius, literally, of a circus rider who leaps from horse to horse, from desilire to leap down, from de- + salire to leap — more at sally

Date: 1581

1. : marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose

a dragged-out ordeal of… desultory shopping — Herman Wouk

2. : not connected with the main subject

3. : disappointing in progress, performance, or quality

a desultory fifth place finish

a desultory wine

• des·ul·to·ri·ly ˌde-səl-ˈtȯr-ə-lē adverb

• des·ul·to·ri·ness ˈde-səl-ˌtȯr-ē-nəs noun

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.