lethargy
Americannoun
plural
lethargies-
the quality or state of being drowsy and dull, listless and unenergetic, or indifferent and lazy; apathetic or sluggish inactivity.
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Pathology. an abnormal state or disorder characterized by overpowering drowsiness or sleep.
noun
-
sluggishness, slowness, or dullness
-
an abnormal lack of energy, esp as the result of a disease
Other Word Forms
- hyperlethargy noun
- lethargic adjective
- lethargically adverb
Etymology
Origin of lethargy
First recorded in 1325–75; from Late Latin lēthargia, from Greek lēthargía, equivalent to lḗtharg(os) “drowsy” + -ia -y 3 ( Lethe, -algia ); replacing Middle English litargie, from Medieval Latin litargīa, from Late Greek, Greek, as above
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Carrick's men paid for their lethargy five minutes into the second half.
From Barron's
It turned away and began to slip down a different branch, but there was a decided lethargy in its movement, and I saw a bulge halfway along its body as its coils unfurled.
From Literature
Like most of the countries where Christianity first took hold, wars and economic lethargy — not to mention a relatively easier path to emigration — have dwindled Lebanon’s Christian population over the decades.
From Los Angeles Times
Depression was assessed through a questionnaire asking about depressed mood, disinterest, restlessness or lethargy during the previous two weeks.
From Science Daily
“Energy is showing some early signs of life after months of lethargy,” writes deGraaf, chairman and head of technical research.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
