Desuvre

/dɛˈzœvr(ə)/ noun

Definition

Idleness or lack of occupation; a state of being without work or purpose (archaic or rare usage, from French).

Etymology

From French 'désoeuvre,' composed of 'dés-' (negation) plus 'oeuvre' (work), meaning literally 'without work.' The term reflects a French perspective on idleness and is rarely used in modern English.

Kelly Says

The French were so thoughtful about the state of having nothing to do that they created a specific word for it—'desuvre'—which suggests that idleness was considered an interesting enough condition to deserve its own vocabulary.

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