The word ‘desultory’ is often encountered in English texts that describe disjointed or aimless actions, conversations, or behaviors. For Bengali speakers or learners, understanding the meaning of ‘desultory’ in Bengali is helpful in improving vocabulary and grasping the tone of certain passages. This topic will thoroughly explore the term ‘desultory,’ its accurate translation in Bengali, proper usage in sentences, and some common examples that can help readers master this somewhat uncommon but expressive word. The goal is to provide both English and Bengali readers with a deep understanding of how and when to use this word appropriately.
Definition of Desultory
‘Desultory’ is an adjective used to describe something that lacks a definite plan, purpose, or enthusiasm. It typically refers to things that are disconnected, inconsistent, or seemingly random. The word comes from the Latin root ‘desultorius,’ which originally referred to a circus rider who leapt from one horse to another metaphorically highlighting the jumping nature of attention or activity.
English Definition Recap:
- Lacking a plan or purpose
- Disconnected or random
- Jumping from one subject or topic to another
Desultory Meaning in Bengali
In Bengali, ‘desultory’ can be translated as:
- ঠবিà¦à§à¦à¦¿à¦¨à§à¦¨ নঠ় (obichchhinnô nôy) not continuous
- ঠসà¦à¦²à¦ à§à¦¨ (ôsonglognô) incoherent or disjointed
- à¦à¦¦à¦¾à¦¸à§à¦¨ (udÄÅÄ«n) indifferent or lacking enthusiasm
The best translation depends on the context. For example, if describing a conversation that lacks focus, ‘ঠসà¦à¦²à¦ à§à¦¨ à¦à¦²à§à¦à¦¨à¦¾’ (ôsonglognô alochonÄ) or ‘disjointed discussion’ would be most accurate.
Common Contexts Where ‘Desultory’ Is Used
Understanding the contexts in which ‘desultory’ is commonly used will help you recognize it more easily in texts and use it naturally in speech or writing.
1. Conversation or Speech
People often use ‘desultory’ to describe aimless or half-hearted conversations. For example:
Their desultory conversation at dinner revealed a lack of mutual interest.
Translation: রাতà§à¦° à¦à¦¾à¦¬à¦¾à¦°à§ তাদà§à¦° ঠসà¦à¦²à¦ à§à¦¨ à¦à¦²à§à¦à¦¨à¦¾ পারসà§à¦ªà¦°à¦¿à¦ à¦à¦ à§à¦°à¦¹à§à¦° ঠà¦à¦¾à¦¬ দà§à¦à¦¾à¦ ়।
2. Efforts or Work
The word can describe weak or half-hearted efforts, such as:
He made a desultory attempt at studying the night before the exam.
Translation: পরà§à¦à§à¦·à¦¾à¦° à¦à¦ à§à¦° রাতৠসৠপড়াশà§à¦¨à¦¾à¦° পà§à¦°à¦¤à¦¿ à¦à¦ ধরনà§à¦° à¦à¦¦à¦¾à¦¸à§à¦¨ পà§à¦°à¦à§à¦·à§à¦à¦¾ à¦à¦°à§à¦à¦¿à¦²à¥¤
3. Movement or Progress
‘Desultory’ is also used when motion is without clear direction:
The desultory footsteps in the hallway made her nervous.
Translation: দালানৠঠসà¦à¦²à¦ à§à¦¨ পদà¦à¦¾à¦°à¦£à¦¾ তাà¦à§ à¦à¦¿à¦¨à§à¦¤à¦¿à¦¤ à¦à¦°à§à¦à¦¿à¦²à¥¤
Examples of ‘Desultory’ in Sentences
Using the word in varied sentences can deepen understanding. Below are more examples to reinforce its application:
- The teacher’s desultory lecture left the students confused.
শিà¦à§à¦·à¦-à¦à¦° ঠসà¦à¦²à¦ à§à¦¨ বà¦à§à¦¤à§à¦¤à¦¾ à¦à¦¾à¦¤à§à¦°à¦¦à§à¦° বিà¦à§à¦°à¦¾à¦¨à§à¦¤ à¦à¦°à§à¦à¦¿à¦²à¥¤ - His desultory efforts to clean the room were hardly noticeable.
à¦à¦° পরিষà§à¦à¦¾à¦° à¦à¦°à¦¤à§ তার à¦à¦¦à¦¾à¦¸à§à¦¨ পà§à¦°à¦à§à¦·à§à¦à¦¾ পà§à¦°à¦¾à¦ ় বà§à¦à¦¾à¦ ঠাà¦à§à¦à¦¿à¦² না। - They engaged in a desultory argument that never reached a point.
তারা à¦à¦ ঠসà¦à¦²à¦ à§à¦¨ তরà§à¦à§ à¦à¦¡à¦¼à¦¿à¦ ়ৠপড়à§à¦à¦¿à¦² ঠার à¦à§à¦¨à§ শà§à¦· à¦à¦¿à¦² না।
Desultory vs Similar Words
To gain a better sense of the word’s usage, it’s helpful to compare it with similar terms:
- Random: Implies lack of pattern, but not always implying a lack of interest.
- Incoherent: Focuses more on the logical disconnect rather than enthusiasm.
- Listless: More emotional or physical lack of energy than intellectual disjointedness.
Each word has its own nuance. Desultory combines a lack of structure with a general sense of aimlessness.
How to Learn and Remember Desultory
Here are some tips to help you remember and apply the word desultory correctly:
- Associate it with the idea of someone flipping TV channels without really watching anything.
- Create flashcards with example sentences in both English and Bengali.
- Practice using it in your own conversations or writing by substituting simpler phrases like random or unfocused.
Why It Matters for Bengali Learners of English
For Bengali-speaking students or professionals trying to improve their English fluency, recognizing words like desultory is vital for both reading comprehension and expressive writing. These words often appear in academic writing, literature, and journalism. By knowing the Bengali equivalent, learners can build better context and use the word more naturally.
Moreover, learning how to use ‘desultory’ can help elevate communication skills. Rather than saying someone gave a bad effort, saying a desultory effort sounds more precise and formal.
The word desultory may not be one you hear in daily conversations, but it is a powerful term to describe things that lack direction, enthusiasm, or coherence. In Bengali, it can be translated as ঠসà¦à¦²à¦ à§à¦¨, ঠবিà¦à§à¦à¦¿à¦¨à§à¦¨ নঠ়, or à¦à¦¦à¦¾à¦¸à§à¦¨, depending on the context. Knowing how to recognize and use ‘desultory’ properly allows you to read more advanced English texts with confidence and speak with greater nuance. With regular practice and contextual learning, this word can become a useful part of your active English vocabulary.