lethargy - Definitions from Dictionary.com

7 results for: lethargy

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

leth·ar·gy

Audio Help [leth-er-jee] Pronunciation Key

–noun, plural -gies.

1.	the quality or state of being drowsy and dull, listless and unenergetic, or indifferent and lazy; apathetic or sluggish inactivity.

2.	Pathology. an abnormal state or disorder characterized by overpowering drowsiness or sleep.

[Origin: 1325–75; < LL léthargia < Gk léthargía, equiv. to ltharg(os) drowsy + -ia -y³ (see Lethe, -algia); r. ME litargie < ML litargīa < LGk, Gk, as above

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
lethargy

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

leth·ar·gy Audio Help (lěth'ər-jē) Pronunciation Key
n. pl. leth·ar·gies

A state of sluggishness, inactivity, and apathy.
A state of unconsciousness resembling deep sleep.

[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).]

Synonyms: 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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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
lethargy

c.1374, from L.L. lethargia, from Gk. lethargia "forgetfulness," from lethargos "forgetful," originally "inactive through forgetfulness," from lethe "forgetfulness" + argos "idle."

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

lethargy
noun
1.	a state of comatose torpor (as found in sleeping sickness)
2.	weakness characterized by a lack of vitality or energy [syn: inanition]
3.	inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy; "the general appearance of sluggishness alarmed his friends" [syn: languor]

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
lethargy [ˈleθədʒi] noun

lack of interest or energy

Arabic:	سُبات، خُمول، فُتور
Chinese (Simplified):	无生气
Chinese (Traditional):	無生氣，無精打采
Czech:	netečnost
Danish:	sløvhed
Dutch:	futloosheid
Estonian:	letargia
Finnish:	velttous
French:	léthargie
German:	die Lethargie
Greek:	απάθεια, λήθαργος
Hungarian:	letargia
Icelandic:	drungi; sinnuleysi
Indonesian:	kelesuan
Italian:	letargia

Japanese:	無気力
Korean:	무기력, 무관심
Latvian:	letarģija, dziļa vienaldzība
Lithuanian:	apatija, letargija, sustingimas
Norwegian:	sløvhet, apati
Polish:	ospałość
Portuguese (Brazil):	letargia
Portuguese (Portugal):	letargia
Romanian:	letargie
Russian:	вялость
Slovak:	letargia
Slovenian:	otopelost
Spanish:	letargo
Swedish:	letargi, slöhetstillstånd
Turkish:	uyuşukluk

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Lethargy

Le*thar"gic\ (l[-e]*th[aum]r"j[i^]k), Lethargical \Le*thar"gic*al\ (-j[i^]*kal), a. [L. lethargicus, Gr. lhqargiko`s: cf. F. l['e]thargique. See Lethargy.] Pertaining to, affected with, or resembling, lethargy; morbidly drowsy; dull; heavy. -- Le*thar"gic*al*ly, adv. -- Le*thar"gic*al*ness, n. -- Le*thar"gic*ness, n.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Lethargy

Leth"ar*gy\ (-j[y^]), n.; pl. -gies (-j[i^]z). [F. l['e]thargie, L. lethargia, Gr. lhqargi`a, fr. lh`qargos forgetful, fr. lh`qh forgetfulness. See Lethe.]

1. Morbid drowsiness; continued or profound sleep, from which a person can scarcely be awaked.

2. A state of inaction or indifference.

Europe lay then under a deep lethargy. --Atterbury.

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