a. [ L. desultorius, fr. desultor a leaper, fr. desilire, desultum, to leap down; de + salire to leap. See Saltation. ] 1. Leaping or skipping about. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] I shot at it [ a bird ], but it was so desultory that I missed my aim. Gilbert White. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order or rational connection; without logical sequence; disconnected; immethodical; aimless; as, desultory minds. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ] He [ Goldsmith ] knew nothing accurately; his reading had been desultory. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Out of course; by the way; as a digression; not connected with the subject; as, a desultory remark. Syn. -- Rambling; roving; immethodical; discursive; inconstant; unsettled; cursory; slight; hasty; loose. [ 1913 Webster ] | 