# desultory

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈdɛs.əl.t(ə).ɹi/ · frequency rank #84,162

## Definitions
1. Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order, planning, or rational connection; lacking logical sequence.
2. Out of course; by the way; not connected with the subject.
3. Disappointing in performance or progress.
4. Leaping, skipping or flitting about, generally in a random or unsteady manner.

## Etymology
From Latin dēsultōrius (“hasty, casual, superficial”), from dēsultor (“a circus rider who jumped from one galloping horse to another”), from dēsiliō (“jump down”), from dē (“down”) + saliō (“jump, leap”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/desultory