I. ˈdesəlˌtōrē, -tȯr-, -ri also -ezə- adjective
Etymology: Latin desultorius, from desultus (past participle of desilire to leap down, from de- + -silire, from salire to leap) + -orius -ory — more at sally
1. : lacking steadiness, fixity, regularity, or continuity : erratic , wavering, shifting
desultory whistling of trains — Edmund Wilson
their one small cannon boomed a desultory fire to distract the attention of the Mexicans — Green Peyton
lived for some time in regular contact with each other and in desultory contact with the surrounding larger American community — Ethel Albert
2. : marked by lack of definite plan or method, sustained purpose, or regular persistent logical procedure or continuity : showing unsteadiness, inconsistency, or incoherence
make reading have a purpose instead of being desultory — Bertrand Russell
already they appeared to be strangers to each other and their last conversations grew more and more desultory — Ngaio Marsh
3. : not connected with the main subject : not cogently relevant : digressive
certain comments of a more or less desultory character seem to need making here — Samuel Alexander
Synonyms: see random
II. adjective
: disappointing in progress, performance, or quality
a desultory wine
a desultory fifth place finish