cursory

[ kur-suh-ree ]

/ ˈkɜr sə ri /

adjective

going rapidly over something, without noticing details; hasty; superficial: a cursory glance at a newspaper article.

Nearby words

Origin of cursory

1595–1605; < Late Latin cursōrius running, equivalent to Latin cur(rere) to run + -sōrius, for -tōrius -tory¹; cf. course

SYNONYMS FOR cursory

quick, brief, passing, haphazard.

Related formscur·so·ri·ly, adverbcur·so·ri·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cursorily

I can therefore touch only cursorily, as on so many other things, upon my theory of the legal basis of a State.
The Jewish State|Theodor Herzl
The peculiar influence of heights has been noted at an earlier stage, though but cursorily.
Nature Mysticism|J. Edward Mercer
This is such a large field that it can be only cursorily covered within the limits of a short article.
The Building of a Book|Various
I cannot do more than cursorily mention the abundant life which teems amid the Broads.
The Handbook to the Rivers and Broads of Norfolk & Suffolk|G. Christopher Davies

Such definitions of the art as may be needed must be given in loco , cursorily and dogmatically.
The Interest of America in Sea Power, Present and Future|A. T. Mahan

British Dictionary definitions for cursorily

cursory

/ (ˈkɜːsərɪ) /

adjective

hasty and usually superficial; quicka cursory check

Derived Formscursorily, adverbcursoriness, noun

Word Origin for cursory

C17: from Late Latin cursōrius of running, from Latin cursus a course, from currere to run

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for cursorily

cursory

adj.

c.1600, from Middle French cursoire "rapid," from Late Latin cursorius "hasty, of a race or running," from Latin curs-, past participle stem of currere "to run" (see current (adj.)).