desultory

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   lacking a plan or purpose; passing aimlessly from one thing to another

   They made desultory conversation while waiting for the train.

Simplified etymology

Desultory entered English in the late 16th century from Latin desultorius “superficial,” literally “relating to a vaulter.” Desultorius comes from desultor “vaulter,” derived from desilire “to leap.” In early English use, desultory also had the literal sense “skipping about”; its other stated sense is “lacking purpose or enthusiasm.”

From Latin desultorius ('hasty, superficial', literally 'of a vaulter'), from desultor ('a leaper, circus rider who jumps between horses'), from desilire ('to leap down'), from de- + salire ('to leap').

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