— desultorily , adv. — desultoriness , n.
/des"euhl tawr'ee, -tohr'ee/ , adj.
1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
[ 1575-85; desultorius pertaining to a desultor (a circus rider who jumps from one horse to another), equiv. to desul-, var. s. of desilire to jump down ( de- DE- + -silire, comb. form of salire to leap) + -torius -TORY 1 ]
Syn. 1. See haphazard .