desultory
UK: ˈdɛs(ə)lt(ə)ri | US: ˈdɛsəlˌtɔri
adj. lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm; disconnected or random
adj. (archaic) jumping from one thing to another; erratic
The word desultory traces back to Roman circus performers (desultores) who would leap between galloping horses. This literal "jumping" evolved metaphorically to describe erratic or disconnected behavior—much like hopping unpredictably from one task to another. The modern sense of "aimless" emerged by the 18th century.
She made desultory attempts to clean her room, leaving half-finished piles everywhere.
The meeting proceeded in a desultory manner, with no clear agenda.
His desultory reading habits left him with superficial knowledge of many topics.
The rain fell in desultory drops, never building into a proper storm.
The professor’s desultory lecture skipped from one tangent to another.