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Desultory vs Inattentive - What's the difference?

desultory | inattentive | Related terms |

Desultory is a related term of inattentive.


As adjectives the difference between desultory and inattentive

is that desultory is jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order or rational connection; without logical sequence while inattentive is of or pertaining to lack of attention; not paying attention; careless.

desultory

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order or rational connection; without logical sequence.
  • * 1850 , , Chapter 25
    • To mend the matter, Hamlet's aunt had the family failing of indulging in soliloquy, and held forth in a desultory manner, by herself, on every topic that was introduced.
    He wandered round, cleaning up in a desultory way.
    I teach a class of desultory minds.
  • Out of course; by the way; as a digression; not connected with the subject.
    • I made a desultory remark while I was talking to my friend.
    She made a desultory attempt at conversation.
  • Disappointing in performance or progress.
  • (obsolete) Leaping, skipping or flitting about, generally in a random or unsteady manner.

    • Synonyms

    * (proceeding without rational order or connection) disconnected; unmethodical; aimless

    Derived terms

    * desultorily

    References

    *

    inattentive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to lack of attention; not paying attention; careless.
    • He was inattentive in class and did not do well in his exams.

    Derived terms

    * inattentively * inattentiveness