acedia

[ uh-see-dee-uh ]

noun

1. sloth ( def 1 ). Compare deadly sins.
2. laziness or indifference in religious matters.

acedia

/ əˈsiːdɪə /

noun

1. another word for accidie

Word History and Origins

Origin of acedia¹

1600–10; < Late Latin acēdia < Greek akḗdeia, equivalent to akēdḗ ( s ) ( a- a- ⁶ + -kēdēs, adj. derivative of kêdos care, anxiety) + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

Perhaps the best term for Fran’s persistent mood is acedia, that feeling of not caring much about anything, especially one’s position in the world.

From New York Times

In the early medieval era, Christian monks were very concerned about acedia.

From Salon

I think acedia is still with us, but it emerged at this time when the culture needed a term to describe a specific experience.

From Salon

"Sloth" is apparently a mistranslation: "When you read these descriptions of acedia, it's patently clear that what these early Christian writers are writing about, it's boredom. The things they have around them are deprived of all life, of all substance. They find nothing in them."

From Salon

The literal meaning of acedia, derived from Greek, is something like "not caring," which explains why "boring" is subjective.

From Salon

Related Words

• inactivity
• inertia
• passivity
• stagnation