ˈslȯth, -ō- sometimes -ä-; sometimes -ō- for sense 1, -ȯ- or -ä- for sense 4 noun
( plural sloths -ths, -thz)
Etymology: Middle English slouthe, slowthe, from slou, slow slow + -the -th — more at slow
1.
a. : disinclination to action or labor : sluggishness , laziness , idleness , indolence
the sun … is gentle, mellow, and sloth provoking — T.H.Fielding
b. : spiritual sluggishness and dejection that constitute one of the seven deadly sins : apathy and inactivity in the practice of virtue
war may shake off … spiritual sloth — C.D.Lewis
2. archaic : slowness , tardiness
3. : a pack of bears
4.
a. : any of several slow-moving exclusively arboreal edentate mammals that inhabit tropical forests of So. and Central America, have especially the front pair of limbs very long and provided with long curved claws, have rudimentary tail and external ears, have long coarse and crisp hair grayish or brownish in color but in the native habitat appearing more or less green and harmonizing with the moss and foliage due to a growth of commensal algae, have the habit of hanging from the branches back downward, and feed entirely on leaves, shoots, and fruits
b. : any of various related extinct edentates — see ground sloth
c. : any of various sluggish arboreal mammals (as the slow loris or the koala)
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sloth 4a
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