| 释义 |
listless, a.|ˈlɪstlɪs|
[f. list n.4 + -less. Cf. the collateral form lustless, which occurs in the sense of ‘listless’ (tr. L. deses) as early as 1398.]
Of persons, their actions, etc.: †a. Destitute of relish or inclination for some specified object or pursuit; const. of (obs.). b. Characterized by unwillingness to move, act, or make any exertion; marked by languid indifference as to what goes on around one, or as to what one has to do.
c1440Promp. Parv. 307/2 Lystles, desidiosus, segnis. 1667W. Fairfax in Phil. Trans. II. 549 He was ever a listless, dull and melancholy fellow. 1678Bunyan Pilgr. Author's Apol., This Book is writ in such a Dialect As may the minds of listless men affect. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 378 The sick..idle in their empty Hives remain, Benum'd with Cold, and listless of their Gain. 1702Eng. Theophrast. 136 Intemperance and sensuality do make men's minds listless and unactive. 1750Gray Elegy 103 His listless Length at Noontide wou'd he stretch. 1766Fordyce Serm. Yng. Wom. (1767) I. Pref. 3 A dull discourse naturally produces a listless audience. 1811Edgeworth Pract. Educ. (1822) II. 442 The playthings of children should be calculated to fix their attention, that they may not get a habit of doing any thing in a listless manner. 1860Tyndall Glac. i. xi. 78 The listless strokes of his axe proclaimed his exhaustion. 1883Sir T. Martin Ld. Lyndhurst v. 121 Listless students of law do not make their way at the Bar.
absol.1758Johnson Idler No. 3 ⁋7 By what methods the listless may be actuated.
Comb.1822[C'tess Blessington] Magic Lantern 8 A listless looking young man.
Hence † listlesshede, listlessness.
c1440Promp. Parv. 307/2 Lystles-hede, segnicies, desidia. |