Showing a disposition to avoid exertion; lazy or idle. Characterized by a lack of energy or effort.
From Latin 'indolens' meaning 'without pain' or 'insensitive,' from 'in-' (not) + 'dolere' (to feel pain). The meaning evolved from 'free from pain' to 'avoiding anything that might cause discomfort,' eventually settling on 'lazy' by the 18th century.
Remember 'indolent' by thinking 'in-DO-lent'—someone who is 'in' the state of 'doing lent' (as in Lent, a time of giving up). They've given up doing anything! The 'dol' root also appears in 'dolor' (pain), so indolent people avoid the 'pain' of work.
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