indolent
UK[ˈɪndələnt]US[ˈɪndələnt]
adj
wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy.
adj
(medicine, archaic) causing little or no pain.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
dolent
in
not
dolent
suffering
Etymology
the word 'indolent' originates from the late latin term 'indolens', which itself is formed from the latin prefix 'in-' (meaning 'not') and the verb 'dolere' (meaning 'to suffer pain or to grieve'). its initial medical sense described a condition that was painless. over time, this literal meaning of 'not suffering pain' evolved metaphorically. the logic of this shift lies in the association between pain and effort; to be free from the pain of exertion came to signify a habitual avoidance of effort, leading to its modern abstract meaning of laziness or idleness.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + dolent (suffering)
in- (latin origin, a prefix meaning 'not'); dolent (from latin 'dolent-', 'dolens', present participle of 'dolere' meaning 'to suffer pain or grief', functioning as the core root).
Examples
his indolent attitude towards his studies worried his parents.
she spent an indolent summer afternoon lounging in the hammock.
the disease progressed in an indolent manner, causing few symptoms for years.