DESULTORY
desultory
(adjective) marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another; “desultory thoughts”; “the desultory conversation characteristic of cocktail parties”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
desultory (comparative more desultory, superlative most desultory)
Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order, planning, or rational connection; lacking logical sequence.
Synonyms: disconnected, unmethodical, aimless, quodlibetic, quodlibetical (in conversation)
Out of course; by the way; not connected with the subject.
Disappointing in performance or progress.
(obsolete) Leaping, skipping or flitting about, generally in a random or unsteady manner.
Anagrams
• Stroudley
Source: Wiktionary
Des"ul*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. desultorius, fr. desultor a leaper, fr.
desilire, desultum, to leap down; de + salire to leap. See
Saltation.]
1. Leaping or skipping about. [Obs.]
I shot at it [a bird], but it was so desultory that I missed my aim.
Gilbert White.
2. Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without
order or rational connection; without logical sequence; disconnected;
immethodical; aimless; as, desultory minds. Atterbury.
He [Goldsmith] knew nothing accurately; his reading had been
desultory. Macaulay.
3. Out of course; by the way; as a digression; not connected with the
subject; as, a desultory remark.
Syn.
– Rambling; roving; immethodical; discursive; inconstant;
unsettled; cursory; slight; hasty; loose.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition