lethargical, a.
(lɪˈθɑːdʒɪkəl)
[f. as prec. + -al1.]
1. Affected with lethargy.
| 1651 Jer. Taylor Holy Dying v. § 4 (1686) 216 Distracted persons, lethargical, apoplectical, or any ways senseless and uncapable of humane and reasonable acts. 1818 in Todd; and in later Dicts. |
b. fig. of things.
| 1661 Cowley Disc. Cromwell in Verses & Ess. (1669) 76 If the desire of rule and superiority be a Virtue (as sure I am it is more imprinted in humane Nature than any of your Lethargical Morals). 1668 H. More Div. Dial. ii. xxii. (1713) 159 Terrestrial Goodness would even grow sluggish and lethargical, if it were not..quickened by [etc.]. |
2. Of or pertaining to lethargy.
| 1617 J. Taylor (Water P.) Taylor's Trav. Ded. to Coriat, Tongue-tide taciturnity should haue imprisoned this worke in the Lethargicall Dungeon or bottomlesse Abisse of euer⁓sleeping obliuion. 1840 Hood Up Rhine 179 The Constrictor After dinner, while deep In lethargical sleep. |
Hence leˈthargically adv., leˈthargicalness.
| 1633 T. Adams Exp. 2 Peter ii. 6. 619 They are lethargically secure, no ruine but their owne can stirre them. 1651 N. Biggs New Disp. Pref. 4 Lethargically content to snore. 1664 H. More Seven Ch. ix. (1669) 160 That thou mayst be the more effectually rowzed up out of this Tepidity and Lethargicalnesse. 1695 Whether Parlt. be not dissolved, etc. 13 The old Loyalty of the Church of England Party will rouse it self out of that Lethargicalness. a 1777 Fawkes Voy. Planets 111 In dismal gloom here drones inactive lull The lazy hours, lethargically dull. 1836 E. Howard R. Reefer l, I became..lethargically drowsy. 1882 C. F. Woolson Anne 7 The cold kept them lethargically honest. |