Idle vs Inconstant - What's the difference?
idle | inconstant | Related terms |
Idle is a related term of inconstant. As adjectives the difference between idle and inconstant is that idle is ( lb) empty, vacant while inconstant is not constant; wavering. As a verb idle is to spend in idleness; to waste; to consume.
idle Adjective
( en adjective)
(lb) Empty, vacant.
Not turned to appropriate use; not occupied.
:
Not engaged in any occupation or employment; unemployed; inactive; doing nothing.
:
*
*:Molly the dairymaid came a little way from the rickyard, and said she would pluck the pigeon that very night after work. She was always ready to do anything for us boys; and we could never quite make out why they scolded her so for an idle hussy indoors. It seemed so unjust. Looking back, I recollect she had very beautiful brown eyes.
Averse to work, labor or employment; lazy; slothful.
:
*
*:“I don't mean all of your friends—only a small proportion—which, however, connects your circle with that deadly, idle , brainless bunch—the insolent chatterers at the opera, the gorged dowagers, the worn-out, passionless men, the enervated matrons of the summer capital,!”
Of no importance; useless; worthless; vain; trifling; thoughtless; silly.
:
(lb) Light-headed; foolish.
:(Ford)
Derived terms
* idle hands are the devil's workshop
* idle pulley
* idle wheel
Synonyms
* See also
Verb
( idl)
To spend in idleness; to waste; to consume.
To lose or spend time doing nothing, or without being employed in business.
- to idle in an IRC channel
* 1939 , Joan Evans, Chateaubriand (page 32)
- He had already heard of the young man's projected journey — evidently the Comte de Combourg had written many letters while his son idled at St. Malo
Of an engine: to run at a slow speed, or out of gear; to tick over.
Related terms
* idler
References
*
*
Anagrams
*
*
*
|
inconstant English
Alternative forms
* inconstaunt (obsolete)
|
|
