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Webster 1913 Edition


Sedentary

Sed′en-ta-ry

,
Adj.
[L.
sedentarius
, fr.
sedere
to sit: cf. F.
seédentaire
. See
Sedent
.]
1.
Accustomed to sit much or long;
as, a
sedentary
man
.
Sedentary, scholastic sophists.”
Bp. Warburton.
2.
Characterized by, or requiring, much sitting;
as, a
sedentary
employment; a
sedentary
life
.
Any education that confined itself to
sedentary
pursuits was essentially imperfect.
Beaconsfield.
3.
Inactive; motionless; sluggish; hence, calm; tranquil.
[R.]
“The sedentary earth.”
Milton.
The soul, considered abstractly from its passions, is of a remiss,
sedentary
nature.
Spectator.
4.
Caused by long sitting.
[Obs.]
Sedentary numbness.”
Milton.
5.
(Zool.)
Remaining in one place, especially when firmly attached to some object;
as, the oyster is a
sedentary
mollusk; the barnacles are
sedentary
crustaceans
.
Sedentary spider
(Zool.)
,
one of a tribe of spiders which rest motionless until their prey is caught in their web.

Webster 1828 Edition


Sedentary

SED'ENTARY

,
Adj.
[L. sedentarius, from sedens, sedeo, to sit.]
1. Accustomed to sit much, or to pass most of the time in a sitting posture; as a sedentary man. Students, taylors and women are sedentary persons.
2. Requiring much sitting; as a sedentary occupation or employment.
3. Passed for the most part in sitting; as a sedentary life.
4. Inactive; motionless; sluggish; as the sedentary earth.
The soul, considered abstractly from its passions, is of a remiss sedentary nature.
Spectator.

Definition 2024


sedentary

sedentary

English

Adjective

sedentary (comparative more sedentary, superlative most sedentary)

  1. Not moving; relatively still; staying in the vicinity.
    The oyster is a sedentary mollusk; the barnacles are sedentary crustaceans.
  2. (medicine, of a job, lifestyle, etc.) Not moving much; sitting around.
    • Bishop Warburton
      Sedentary, scholastic sophists.
    • Beaconsfield
      Any education that confined itself to sedentary pursuits was essentially imperfect.
  3. (obsolete) inactive; motionless; sluggish; tranquil
    • Milton
      The sedentary earth.
    • Spectator
      The soul, considered abstractly from its passions, is of a remiss, sedentary nature.
  4. (obsolete) Caused by long sitting.
    • Milton
      Sedentary numbness.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Translations