different between remiss vs listless

English

Etymology

From Middle English remisse, remysse, from Latin remissus (“languid, negligent”), perfect passive participle of remittere (“remit”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???m?s/

Adjective

remiss (not comparable)

1. At fault; failing to fulfill responsibility, duty, or obligations.

   I would certainly be remiss if I did not give credit where credit was due.

2. Not energetic or exact in duty or business; careless; tardy; slack; hence, lacking earnestness or activity; languid; slow.
   • 1695, John Woodward, An Essay toward a Natural History of the Earth and Terrestrial Bodies, especially Minerals, &c

     Its motion becomes more languid and remiss.

Synonyms

• (at fault): at fault, blameworthy, lash, lax, negligent, reprehensible
• (not energetic): careless, tardy, slack, languid, slow; see also Thesaurus:apathetic or Thesaurus:slow

Translations

See also

• remise

Anagrams

• Misers, misers, misser

Swedish

Pronunciation

Noun

remiss c

1. a referral, especially as a general practitioner refers a patient to another medical specialist
2. a proposal referred for consideration

Declension

Related terms

• lagrådsremiss
• remissinstans
• remissomgång

References

English

Etymology

From Middle English lystles, equivalent to list (“desire”) +? -less. Compare Dutch lusteloos (“lethargic, listless”). Doublet of lustless.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?l?stl?s/

Adjective

listless (comparative more listless, superlative most listless)

1. Lacking energy, enthusiasm, or liveliness.
   • 1818, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Frankenstein, ch. 18:

     I passed whole days on the lake alone in a little boat, watching the clouds and listening to the rippling of the waves, silent and listless.

   • 1861, Charlotte M. Yonge, The Stokesley Secret, ch. 6:

     What an entirely different set of beings were those Stokesley children in lesson-time. . . . Poor, listless, stolid, deplorable logs, with bowed backs and crossed ankles, pipy voices and heavy eyes!

   • 1901, William Somerset Maugham, The Hero, ch. 21:

     The scene with Mrs. Wallace had broken his spirit, and he was listless now, indifferent to what happened.

   • 2005 Nov. 29, Aryn Baker, "John Hardy: Bali Guy," Time:

     “Listless, inattentive, distracted,” he recited. “A daydreamer. Tries his best, but is too slow.”

Derived terms

• listlessly
• listlessness

Translations

Anagrams

• slitless