désœuvréadj.
/deɪˈzəːvreɪ//deɪzəvˈreɪ/ Out of work, unemployed, unoccupied; languidly idle.
ΚΠ
1750 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 11 Jan. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1488 If..some charitable people..being desœuvré themselves, came and spoke to me.
1794 E. Gunning Packet IV. 258 In a tone perfectly desœuvré..calling her a fine old quiz.
1839 H. W. Longfellow in S. Longfellow Life H. W. Longfellow (1891) I. 348 Drowsy, dull, desœuvré, not having a book in press.
Derivatives
désœuvrement n. lack of occupation.
ΚΠ
1828 Eng. in France II. 41 The Baronne looked for a friend..for désœuvrement, for amusement, not excitement.
1849 H. W. Longfellow in S. Longfellow Life H. W. Longfellow (1891) II. 154 I have nothing to write you, and write..from mere désœuvrement.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
<
adj.1750