The word "desultory" originates from the Latin "desultorius," meaning "jumping about." It describes something characterized by a lack of consistency, purpose, or logical order; erratic and aimless. In essence, a desultory approach lacks focus and jumps from one thing to another without achieving much. Understanding this nuance is crucial for effective communication and comprehension, particularly in academic and professional contexts where structured thought is valued. This answer will define the term and provide illustrative examples to clarify its meaning. Defining Desultory “Desultory” is an adjective used to describe actions, speech, or writing that is rambling, haphazard, or lacking in focus. It implies a lack of methodical approach and a tendency to wander from the main subject or task. The key characteristic is the absence of a clear plan or direction. Illustrative Examples To better understand the meaning, consider the following examples: Desultory Conversation: A conversation that jumps randomly between topics, with no logical connection between them, can be described as desultory. For instance, discussing the weather, then abruptly switching to politics, then to a childhood memory, without any clear transition. Desultory Reading: Someone who flips through a book, reading a few sentences here and there without following a coherent narrative, is engaging in desultory reading. They aren’t absorbing the information in a systematic way. Desultory Research: A research project where the researcher explores various avenues without a defined hypothesis or methodology would be considered desultory. This often leads to inconclusive results. Desultory Efforts: A student making desultory efforts towards exam preparation might attend some classes, read a few pages of a textbook, and then spend hours on social media, lacking a consistent study schedule. Distinguishing Desultory from Similar Terms It’s important to differentiate “desultory” from related terms: Term Meaning Difference from Desultory Random Occurring without a pattern or purpose. “Random” simply lacks a pattern; “desultory” implies a *failed* attempt at purpose or order. Chaotic In a state of complete confusion and disorder. “Chaotic” suggests a high degree of disorder; “desultory” is milder, suggesting a lack of focus rather than complete disarray. Erratic Unpredictable and inconsistent. “Erratic” focuses on unpredictability; “desultory” emphasizes the lack of a guiding plan. In essence, “desultory” suggests a wandering, unfocused approach, often resulting from a lack of discipline or clear objectives. In conclusion, "desultory" describes a lack of purpose, order, or consistency in actions, speech, or thought. It signifies a rambling and haphazard approach, often hindering progress or understanding. Recognizing this term and its nuances is valuable for precise communication and critical analysis. The examples provided illustrate how this adjective can be applied to various contexts, highlighting its meaning in practical scenarios.

Question 11 | UPSC Mains ENGLISH-COMPULSORY 2013

desultory

How to Approach

This question requires defining the word "desultory" and illustrating its meaning through examples. The answer should focus on conveying the sense of lacking purpose, order, or consistency. A simple definition followed by examples demonstrating the characteristic lack of focus will suffice. The answer should be concise and clear, demonstrating understanding of the word's nuance. No complex structure is needed, as the question asks for a basic understanding of the term.

Defining Desultory

“Desultory” is an adjective used to describe actions, speech, or writing that is rambling, haphazard, or lacking in focus. It implies a lack of methodical approach and a tendency to wander from the main subject or task. The key characteristic is the absence of a clear plan or direction.

Illustrative Examples

To better understand the meaning, consider the following examples:

Desultory Conversation: A conversation that jumps randomly between topics, with no logical connection between them, can be described as desultory. For instance, discussing the weather, then abruptly switching to politics, then to a childhood memory, without any clear transition.
Desultory Reading: Someone who flips through a book, reading a few sentences here and there without following a coherent narrative, is engaging in desultory reading. They aren’t absorbing the information in a systematic way.
Desultory Research: A research project where the researcher explores various avenues without a defined hypothesis or methodology would be considered desultory. This often leads to inconclusive results.
Desultory Efforts: A student making desultory efforts towards exam preparation might attend some classes, read a few pages of a textbook, and then spend hours on social media, lacking a consistent study schedule.

Distinguishing Desultory from Similar Terms

It’s important to differentiate “desultory” from related terms:

Term	Meaning	Difference from Desultory
Random	Occurring without a pattern or purpose.	“Random” simply lacks a pattern; “desultory” implies a failed attempt at purpose or order.
Chaotic	In a state of complete confusion and disorder.	“Chaotic” suggests a high degree of disorder; “desultory” is milder, suggesting a lack of focus rather than complete disarray.
Erratic	Unpredictable and inconsistent.	“Erratic” focuses on unpredictability; “desultory” emphasizes the lack of a guiding plan.

In essence, “desultory” suggests a wandering, unfocused approach, often resulting from a lack of discipline or clear objectives.

Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Haphazard

Lacking any obvious principle of organization; characterized by randomness.

Rambling

Proceeding in a confused or inconsequential way; wandering aimlessly.

Key Statistics

According to a 2018 study by the University of California, Irvine, it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to regain focus after an interruption.

Source: University of California, Irvine (2018)

A study by Microsoft (2015) found that the average human attention span has fallen from 12 seconds in 2000 to 8 seconds in 2015 – shorter than that of a goldfish.

Source: Microsoft (2015)

Examples

The Wandering Scholar

A historian attempting to write a comprehensive biography but constantly getting sidetracked by tangential research topics, leading to a delayed and unfocused manuscript, exemplifies a desultory approach to scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Is "desultory" always negative?

While often used negatively to criticize a lack of focus, "desultory" can sometimes describe a creative process where exploration and experimentation are valued, even if they lack immediate direction.