indolence Meaning, Definition & Usage

In"do*lence noun

Etymology

L. indolentia freedom from pain: cf. F. indolence.

Definitions

1. Freedom from that which pains, or harasses, as toil, care, grief, etc. Obs.

   I have ease, if it may not rather be called indolence. Bp. Hough.

2. The quality or condition of being indolent; inaction, or want of exertion of body or mind, proceeding from love of ease or aversion to toil; habitual idleness; indisposition to labor; laziness; sloth; inactivity.

   Life spent in indolence, and therefore sad. Cowper.

   As there is a great truth wrapped up in "diligence," what a lie, on the other hand, lurks at the root of our present use of the word "indolence"! This is from "in" and "doleo," not to grieve; and indolence is thus a state in which we have no grief or pain; so that the word, as we now employ it, seems to affirm that indulgence in sloth and ease is that which would constitute for us the absence of all pain. Trench.