Word to describe "fleeting, wandering and prone to drifting off" of thought

Question

I was wondering if someone could help me find a word based off of my description.

I would like a word that means something along the lines of "fleeting, wandering and prone to drifting off" or something like this.

I'm trying to describe thought in a "Men fear thought" analysis.

Trying to breakdown the line "Men fear though more than ruin" I was trying to assert that thought is _ as it is "fleeting, wandering and prone to drifting off".

If anyone has some insight into a particularly helpful word, or one that seems to fit well, please let me know!

UPDATE:

I would also like for the word to possibly carry a little bit of a negative connotation, so it can be tied into the analysis of "more than ruin".

Also, I think the word should have its emphasis on "prone to drifting off" and also "leading to other kinds of malicious thoughts/things" if you know what I mean.

"Break down," meaning to analyze, is two words. A breakdown refers to a failure of some kind: mechanical, communication, etc. — moioci, Sep 14 '10 at 05:23

kitukwfyer · Answer 1 · 2014-11-05T06:54:12.643

4

The question changed a little, so I'm changing my answer. :)

Desultory might work, but it might be a bit of a stretch.

Definition of DESULTORY from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary 1: marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose 2: not connected with the main subject 3: disappointing in progress, performance, or quality

edited Nov 05 '14 at 06:54

answered Sep 12 '10 at 19:34

kitukwfyer

3,753

That's quite good! I like that one for sure. – Qcom Sep 12 '10 at 20:03
1

@BOSS, Oh dear, I have terrible timing. :) Did you like "meandering" or "desultory" ? I'll change my answer back if you prefer "meandering." – kitukwfyer Sep 12 '10 at 20:09
1

Well, I kind of like both :) I think meandering was a bit better though, although one thing I don't like about meandering is it kind of seems to imply slow. I think of thought transitioning from something upbeat and joyous to something fearful in almost no time at all. Meandering works, but it doesn't quite cover the transition part. – Qcom Sep 12 '10 at 20:15
I'll just post "meandering" as a separate answer. That way everything's covered. :) – kitukwfyer Sep 12 '10 at 20:18
Please provide the name of where you got these copy-pasted citations from, and a link if available. See the meta question on What to do about missing source attributions: Copying, Linking, Attributions, and Plagiarism for discussion about this. – tchrist Jul 08 '14 at 00:51

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 12 '10 at 20:23

4

I thought of a third possibility that covers the transition part.

Capricious: governed or characterized by caprice : impulsive, unpredictable.

If I think of something better, I obviously have no compunction against adding another answer. :)

answered Sep 12 '10 at 20:23

kitukwfyer

3,753

+1: i like capricious. it has negative connotations as well. it's like.. inclined to do things you won't like. =). Unrelated: though thoughts do tend to wander.. you can learn to control them / not be affected by them, see meditation. – Claudiu Nov 17 '10 at 01:27

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 12 '10 at 19:22

2

How about "elusive"?

answered Sep 12 '10 at 19:22

RegDwigнt

97,231

Hm, not bad. I'm looking for it possibly to carry a more negative connotation, so it can be tied it with the "fearing thought more than ruin". Although I like "elusive" because it's kind of mysterious, so it's ok. Also, let me update with a little bit more clarification. – Qcom Sep 12 '10 at 19:32

kitukwfyer · Answer 4 · 2014-11-05T06:56:38.587

2

Meandering might work. Definition from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Meandering: to wander aimlessly or casually without urgent destination.

edited Nov 05 '14 at 06:56

answered Sep 12 '10 at 20:19

kitukwfyer

3,753

Please provide the name of where you got these copy-pasted citations from, and a link if available. See the meta question on What to do about missing source attributions: Copying, Linking, Attributions, and Plagiarism for discussion about this. – tchrist Jul 08 '14 at 00:51

score 2 · Answer 5 · edited Jul 08 '14 at 00:48

2

Per Wordnik, fugacious is:

Passing away quickly; evanescent.

Fleeing, or disposed to flee; fleeting; transitory.

Fleeting, fading quickly, transient.

edited Jul 08 '14 at 00:48

tchrist

134,759

answered Nov 16 '10 at 18:47

Marthaª

32,910

(I don't know if this has a negative connotation or not, as I've never seen it actually used.) – Marthaª Nov 16 '10 at 18:56
yea strange word – Claudiu Nov 17 '10 at 01:26
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugue_state – mplungjan Feb 07 '11 at 06:58

score 1 · Answer 6 · answered Sep 27 '12 at 16:11

I suggest noun evanescence (“The act or state of vanishing away; disappearance” or “The event of fading and gradually vanishing from sight”) to refer to the “fleeting, wandering and prone to drifting off” of thought. The adjectival form is evanescent, as mentioned in definitions of one or more of Marthaª's suggestions. One might assert that thought is evanescent or refer to the evanescence of thought.

Adjective ephemeral (“Lasting for a short period of time”), with synonyms including temporary, transitory, fleeting, evanescent, momentary, short-lived, short, volatile, can be used; eg “Thought is ephemeral and fleeting”. More down to earth, one might say it's here today, gone tomorrow.

elusive and ephemeral were the first two words to pop into my head when I read the description. — ghoppe, Sep 27 '12 at 20:53

score 0 · Answer 7 · answered Mar 20 '13 at 17:30

0

Elusive or ephemeral can be used in your context.

answered Mar 20 '13 at 17:30

moonstar

2,400

score 0 · Answer 8 · answered Sep 09 '13 at 22:21

0

Scatterbrained

From thesaurus.com

answered Sep 09 '13 at 22:21

New Alexandria

3,879

score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Nov 16 '10 at 18:51

0

transitory

Existing or lasting only a short time; short-lived or temporary
Passing without continuing; lasting only a short time; unstable and fleeting; speedily vanishing
Occurring or done in passing; cursory

answered Nov 16 '10 at 18:51

Marthaª

32,910

(This doesn't have a negative connotation except in certain contexts.) – Marthaª Nov 16 '10 at 18:55

score 0 · Answer 10 · answered Nov 17 '10 at 06:01

0

Well the answer to your title could be 'daydreaming', but I'm not so sure after having read the body of your question.

answered Nov 17 '10 at 06:01

Benjol

4,729

Word to describe "fleeting, wandering and prone to drifting off" of thought

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