idle
UK[ˈaɪdl]US[ˈaɪdl]
adj
Not working or being used; not active or in use.
adj
(Of a person) avoiding work; lazy.
adj
Having no particular purpose or effect; meaningless.
v
To spend time doing nothing or avoiding work.
v
(Of an engine) to run slowly while the vehicle is not moving.
Etymology
The word 'idle' originates from the Old English adjective 'īdel', which meant "empty, useless, worthless." This Old English term is cognate with Old High German 'ītal' meaning "empty, vain." Scholars trace its lineage further back to a Proto-West Germanic root 'īdla-', signifying "empty" or "void." The semantic journey from the concrete notion of "empty" to the abstract concepts of "inactive" or "lazy" is a classic example of meaning evolution, where a lack of substance or content became metaphorically associated with a lack of productive activity or purpose.
Analysis
The word 'idle' is a simplex word of Old English origin. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller, independent morphemes within its modern English spelling.
Examples
The factory machines stood idle during the power outage.
He was accused of being idle and unwilling to help with the project.
She let the car engine idle while waiting at the curb.