lethargy

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“
I so long for the lethargy, the sweet peace of stupidity.

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Definitions (15)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (3)

  1. noun A state of sluggishness, inactivity, and apathy.
  2. noun A state of unconsciousness resembling deep sleep.
  3. Syntax Note
    Synonyms: lethargy, lassitude, torpor, torpidity, stupor, languor
    These nouns refer to a deficiency in mental and physical alertness and activity. Lethargy is a state of sluggishness, drowsy dullness or apathy: The war roused the nation from its lethargy.
    Lassitude implies weariness or diminished energy such as might result from physical or mental strain: "His anger had evaporated; he felt nothing but utter lassitude” (John Galsworthy).
    Torpor and torpidity suggest the suspension of activity characteristic of an animal in hibernation: "My calmness was the torpor of despair” (Charles Brockden Brown). Nothing could dispel the torpidity of the indifferent audience.
    Stupor is often produced by the effects of alcohol or narcotics; it suggests a benumbed or dazed state of mind: "The huge height of the buildings . . . the hubbub and endless stir . . . struck me into a kind of stupor of surprise” (Robert Louis Stevenson).
    Languor is the indolence typical of one who is satiated by a life of luxury or pleasure: After the banquet, I was overcome by languor.

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Examples (50)

  • Allen says her lethargy is the result of a night out at city eatery Becco, and slides into an armchair.
  • Neilson: Hearts win over 'Well as important as Old Firm victory ROBBIE NEILSON recalls the lethargy which characterised Hearts' finish to last season.
  • Then came a quite mesmerising attacking movement to rouse the Edinburgh side from their apparent lethargy, and it was no surprise to see Aguiar orchestrating proceedings.
  • If you find that you experience: (1) Morning headaches (2) Irritability (3) Excessive sleepiness during the day (4) Overall lethargy, these could be just a few indications that you experience sleep apnea. —  xml's Blinklist.com
  • Their 'machine rock' carries an energy to wipe away the last of that springtime lethargy, and while the Dadaistic undertones in the lyrics may be daring, they somehow fit, like a blow to the face. —  cafebabel.com
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Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (3)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English letargie, from Old French, from Late Latin lēthārgia, from Greek lēthārgiā, from lēthārgos, forgetful : lēthē, forgetfulness + ārgos, idle (a-, without; see a-1 + ergon, work; see werg- in Indo-European roots).

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (2)

  1. Early modern English also lethargie, from Middle English letharge, litarge, from Old French letharge, lethargie, litarge, French léthargie = Spanish letargía = Portuguese lethargia = Italian letargia, from Late Latin lethargia, from Greek ληθαργία, drowsiness, from λήθαργος, forgetful (as a noun, λήθαργος, later L. lethargus, from Italian Spanish letargo, lethargy), λήθη, oblivion (see Lethe, n.), + ἀλγος, pain (ἀλγ-altered to ἀργ- to avoid recurrence of λ).
  2. from lethargy, n.
 

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/ˈlɛθərdʒi/
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