indolent

Indolent, a.

Etymology: [Pref. in- not + L. dolens, -entis, p. pr. of dolere to feel pain: cf. F. indolent. See Dolorous.]

1. Free from toil, pain, or trouble. [Obs.]

2. Indulging in ease; avoiding labor and exertion; habitually idle; lazy; inactive; as, an indolent man. To waste long nights in indolent repose. Pope.

3. (Med.)

Causing little or no pain or annoyance; as, an indolent tumor.

1 more senses

Syn. -- Idle; lazy; slothful; sluggish; listless; inactive; inert. See Idle.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for indolent; he lists it under idle.

Where he writes about it:

Indolent is a milder term for the same quality; the slothful man hates action; the indolent man loves inaction. — from idle

Synonyms

idle inactive inert lazy slothful sluggish trifling unemployed unoccupied vacant

Antonyms

active busy diligent employed industrious occupied working

etymology Webster’s online