desultory Meaning, Definition & Usage

adjective satellite 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

L. desultorius, fr. desultor a leaper, fr. desilire, desultum, to leap down; de + salire to leap. See Saltation.

Leaping or skipping about. Obs.
I shot at it [a bird], but it was so desultory that I missed my aim. Gilbert White.
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.
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.