Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Sedentary?

\Sed"en*ta*ry\, a. [L. sedentarius, fr. sedere to sit: cf. F. se['e]dentaire. See {Sedent}.] 1. Accustomed to sit much or long; as, a sedentary man. ``Sedentary, scholastic sophists.'' --Bp. Warburton. 2. Characterized by, or requiring, much sitting; as, a sedentary employment; a sedentary life. Any education that confined itself to sedentary pursuits was essentially imperfect. --Beaconsfield. 3. Inactive; motionless; sluggish; hence, calm; tranquil. [R.] ``The sedentary earth.'' --Milton. The soul, considered abstractly from its passions, is of a remiss, sedentary nature. --Spectator. 4. Caused by long sitting. [Obs.] ``Sedentary numbness.'' --Milton. 5. (Zo["o]l.) Remaining in one place, especially when firmly attached to some object; as, the oyster is a sedentary mollusk; the barnacles are sedentary crustaceans. {Sedentary spider} (Zo["o]l.), one of a tribe of spiders which rest motionless until their prey is caught in their web.