lethargy
UK /ˈlɛθədʒɪ/ · US /ˈlɛθ ər dʒi/ noun
Forms lethargies
- noun A state of extreme torpor, sopor or apathy, especially with lack of emotion, energy or enthusiasm; (loosely) sluggishness, laziness.
- noun (pathology) A condition characterized by extreme fatigue or drowsiness, deep unresponsiveness, or prolonged sleep patterns.
Synonyms
lassitude sluggishness inanition slackness languor phlegm flatness
Etymology
From Middle English litargie, from Medieval Latin litargia, from Late Latin lēthārgia, borrowed from Ancient Greek ληθᾱργῐ́ᾱ (lēthārgĭ́ā, “drowsiness”), from λήθᾱργος (lḗthārgos, “forgetful, lethargic”) + -ῐ́ᾱ (-ĭ́ā, adjectival suffix).
Webster’s 1913
- noun Morbid drowsiness; continued or profound sleep, from which a person can scarcely be awaked.
- noun A state of inaction or indifference.
- verb To lethargize. [Obs.] Shak.
Etymology [F. léthargie, L. letgargia, Gr. Lethe.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “lethargy”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details