Desultory means unenthusiastically lacking in consistency, constancy or visible order. Desultory derives from the Latin desultorius which was used to refer to a circus performer called a desultor whose trick was to leap back and forth from horse to horse. Both desultor and desultorius derive from the Latin salire (to leap).
While a desultor is rather exciting with the constant leaping, desultory is more of a half-hearted, meandering kind of leaping. Desultory is aimless and wandering, like a desultory conversation or a desultory day of doing nothing in-particular, and never settling on any one thing.
A desultory dreamscape/ a nightmare unrefined/ never fully going anywhere/ never reaching so unfulfilled /dullness on all sides./ Aimless, wandering, frustrated but flat-lined/ an ache of imagination/ a life so undefined… ~ Ella
Desultory is precisely the word I would use to describe this month thus far. I’ve been aimlessly going through the motions. Yes, I’ve been ill (nasty cold) and suffering from S.A.D.s (please seek help if you suffer the same – you are so not alone in this), but the desultory pattern of my days has been rather noticeable. I’m taking steps to ease this and to find ways to reengage and reconnect. One way is using the word desultory to describe it all – it sounds so dramatic, like ennui, and it puts me in mind of one regency romance heroine or another, which is terrific for a laugh, lol! How about you ~ have you been acting desultory in any way?
Namaste ~ Ella
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Lawhimsy 