desultory

adj

1. Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order, planning, or rational connection; lacking logical sequence.

   “He wandered round, cleaning up in a desultory way.”

   “I teach a class of desultory minds.”

   “subject to desultory fire from the enemy”

   “To mend the matter, Hamlet's aunt had the family failing of indulging in soliloquy, and held forth in a desultory manner, by herself, on every topic that was introduced.”

   “The Benelux Customs Union came into effect on January 1st 1948, and there followed desultory conversations between the Benelux countries, France and Italy over projects to extend such cooperation across a larger space.”

2. Out of course; by the way; not connected with the subject.

   “I made a desultory remark while I was talking to my friend.”

   “She made a desultory attempt at conversation.”

3. Disappointing in performance or progress.

   “Near-synonyms: half-assed, halfhearted”

   “As we stood waiting for the departure time with the setting sun twinkling on the great brass dome of our 2-4-0, the sound of church bells was the only one apart from the measured tread of the guard slowly pacing towards his van, and, standing at an open window, I more than once heard the fireman's "Right away!" to his mate in acknowledgement of a desultory wave of the unfurled green flag.”

4. (obsolete)Leaping, skipping or flitting about, generally in a random or unsteady manner.