/ ˈdesəltri; NAmE -tɔːri/ adjective
( formal ) going from one thing to another, without a definite plan and without enthusiasm :
I wandered about in a desultory fashion.
a desultory conversation
► des·ul·tor·ily adverb
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent. (also in the literal sense skipping about ): from Latin desultorius superficial (literally relating to a vaulter), from desultor vaulter, from the verb desilire .