cursorily

The adverb 'cursorily' originates from the adjective 'cursory', which entered English in the early 17th century from the Medieval Latin cursorius, meaning 'of a runner' or 'rapid'. This Latin term derives from cursor (runner), itself from the verb currere (to run), a prolific Proto-Indo-European root kers- meaning 'to run'. The literal sense of running or rapid movement evolved metaphorically to describe actions performed with the speed of a runner passing by, hence lacking depth or thoroughness. The adverbial suffix '-ly' was then appended, finalizing the word's form to describe the manner of performing an action—quickly and superficially.

Structure: cursor (runner) + ily (adverb suffix) - cursor: From Latin cursor (runner, courier), from currere (to run). In this word, it functions as the root conveying the sense of rapid movement. - ily: A common English adverbial suffix derived from Old English -līce, used to form adverbs from adjectives (here, from the adjective 'cursory').