lassitude

American  

[las-i-tood, -tyood] / ˈlæs ɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

noun

1. weariness of body or mind from strain, oppressive climate, etc.; lack of energy; listlessness; languor.

   It was yet another day of extreme heat and lassitude.

2. a condition of lazy indifference.

   Democracy is hard work, and demands that citizens not drift into lassitude.

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lassitude British  

/ ˈlæsɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. physical or mental weariness

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Etymology

Origin of lassitude

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin lassitūdō “weariness,” equivalent to lass(us) “weary” + -i- connecting vowel + -tūdō noun suffix; see -i-, -tude

Explanation

If you are feeling lassitude, you're weary and just can't be bothered. Couch potatoes make lassitude into an art form. Lassitude might sound like latitude, but the two words don't mean the same thing. Latitude describes the distance of a particular location from the equator. Lassitude is the weariness you'd experience after attempting to run a marathon around the equator. Lassitude can also describe a lack of interest, like deciding you'd rather lie on your couch than run that marathon along the equator.

Example Sentences

So I think I might know how to rhyme Terrifically clever this time Yet it stalls about here — Lassitude, dude — it’s clear: Everyone’s better than I’m.

From Washington Post • Jun. 13, 2019

Lassitude and confusion set in, so that starvation victims often seem unaware of their plight.

From Time Magazine Archive

Lassitude, faint consciousness, then tiny shock on shock came the burning revulsion; and her voice came back, too, sounding strangely to her, a colourless, monotonous voice.

From The Fighting Chance by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)

Lassitude and a feeling of general debility are confined chiefly to the anæmic cases.

From The Social Emergency Studies in Sex Hygiene and Morals by Foster, William Trufant

Lassitude keeps the standard of living down to a low level.

From The Journal of Negro History, Volume 2, 1917 by Various