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list·less

(lĭstlĭs)

adj.

1. Lacking energy or disinclined to exert effort; lethargic: felt tired and listless.

2. Characterized by a lack of energy or interest: a listless glance.

[Middle English listles : probably from liste, desire (from listen, to desire; see LIST⁵) + -les, -lesse, -less.]

listless·ly adv.

listless·ness n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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