Lacking purpose, method, or enthusiasm; jumping from one thing to another in a random or unfocused way. It describes actions or thoughts that are disconnected and aimless.
From Latin 'desultorius,' meaning 'pertaining to a leaper' (from 'desultor,' a circus rider who jumped from horse to horse). The metaphor of jumping randomly between horses evolved to describe any scattered, unfocused activity.
Picture a circus performer jumping randomly from horse to horse with no plan - that's desultory! Your thoughts or actions are 'leaping' around without any real direction or purpose, like a confused circus act.
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