indolence
UK[ˈɪndələns]US[ˈɪndələns]
n
the state of being lazy or avoiding activity
Morpheme Breakdown
in
dol
ence
in
not
dol
suffer pain, grieve
ence
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'indolence' originates from the latin 'indolentia', meaning 'freedom from pain'. it is formed from the prefix 'in-' (not) and the root 'dolere' (to suffer pain). the original latin sense described a literal insensitivity to pain. this meaning evolved in french and later english to describe an avoidance of pain or effort, shifting from a physical to a psychological and behavioral state. thus, the modern abstract meaning of laziness stems from the concept of not wanting to endure the 'pain' or discomfort of labor.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + dol (suffer pain, grieve) + ence (noun suffix)
in- (latin origin, a prefix meaning 'not'); -dol- (latin origin, from the verb 'dolere', meaning 'to suffer pain, to grieve'); -ence (latin origin, a noun-forming suffix indicating a state or quality).
Examples
the hot summer afternoon encouraged a mood of peaceful indolence.
his career stalled not due to a lack of talent, but sheer indolence.
she fought against the indolence that settled in after the long holiday.