sloth English · revision 1554

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1175}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /slɒθ/, /sləʊθ/ ''(UK)''; /slɔθ/, /sloʊθ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|slouthe]], [[m|enm|slauthe]],^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) formed from [[m|enm|slou]], [[m|enm|slowe|t=slow]] (see [[slow]]) and the abstract noun suffix [[-th]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(Hoad 1986) It replaced the earlier [[m|enm|sleuthe]], from [[ang|slǣwþ|t=sloth, indolence]], from [[m|ang|slǣw]], a variant of [[m|ang|slāw|t=slow]];^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023) the modern form may also be the old word with its vowel conformed to the adjective.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Physical or mental inactivity; idleness, laziness (c. 1175 in the OED; before 1150 in Barnhart; late 12th century in Etymonline).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As one of the [[deadly sin|alt=deadly sins]] it translates Latin ''accidia'',^(Etymonline) spiritual apathy and neglect of virtue.^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024) The literal sense “slowness, tardiness” is recorded from about 1380 and is now archaic.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MWU 2024) In the 15th century it appears as a term of venery for a company of bears.^(OED 1989)^(AHD) From 1613 it names the slow-moving tree-dwelling mammal of South and Central America,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Hoad 1986) a translation of the Portuguese name ''preguiça'' “laziness” or Spanish ''perezoso'' “slothful”, given by early explorers.^(Weekley 1921)^(Skeat 1911)^(Klein 1966) In southern India the name was sometimes transferred to the loris.^(Yule & Burnell 1903)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1175 – idleness, laziness.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1380 – slowness, tardiness.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * c. 1452 – a company of bears.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1613 – the South American mammal.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Unwillingness to work or exert oneself; [[laziness]], [[indolence]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Spiritual apathy and inactivity, counted as one of the seven [[deadly sin|alt=deadly sins]].^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024)

+ # Any of various slow-moving [[arboreal]] mammals of South and Central America that hang upside down from branches by long hooked claws and feed on leaves, such as the [[three-toed sloth|alt=three-toed]] and [[two-toed sloth|alt=two-toed]] sloths.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A company of [[bear|alt=bears]].^(AHD)^(RHWU)^(MWU 2024)

+ # ''(archaic)'' Slowness, tardiness.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[slothful]]

+ * [[ground sloth]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[slow]]

+ * [[sloth bear]]

+ * [[acedia]]

+ * [[sluggard]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}