In"do*lence (?), n. [L. indolentia freedom from pain: cf. F. indolence.]
1. Freedom from that which pains, or harasses, as toil, care, grief, etc. [Obs.] I have ease, if it may not rather be
called indolence. Bp. Hough. 2. The quality or condition of being indolent; inaction, or want of exertion of body or mind,
proceeding from love of ease
or aversion to toil; habitual idleness; indisposition to labor; laziness; sloth; inactivity. Life spent in
indolence, and therefore sad.
Cowper. As there is a great truth wrapped up in "diligence," what a lie, on the other hand, lurks at the root of our present use of the word "indolence"! This is from
"in" and "doleo," not to grieve; and indolence is thus a state
in which we
have no grief or pain; so that
the word, as
we now employ it, seems to affirm that indulgence in sloth and
ease is that which would constitute for us the absence of all pain. Trench.
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