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(), a.[Compar.Idler (); superl.Idlest.] [OE. idel, AS. del vain, empty, useless; akin to OS. dal, D. ijdel, OHG. tal vain, empty, mere, G. eitel, Dan. & Sw. idel mere, pure, and prob. to Gr. clear, pure, to burn. Cf. Ether.] 1. Of no account; useless; vain; trifling; unprofitable; thoughtless; silly; barren. "Deserts idle." Shak. Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Matt. xii. 36. Down their idle weapons dropped. Milton. This idle story became important. Macaulay. 2. Not called into active service; not turned to appropriate use; unemployed; as, idle hours. The idle spear and shield were high uphing. Milton. 3. Not employed; unoccupied with business; inactive; doing nothing; as, idle workmen. Why stand ye here all the day idle? Matt. xx. 6. 4. Given rest and ease; averse to labor or employment; lazy; slothful; as, an idle fellow. 5. Light-headed; foolish. [Obs.] Ford. Idle pulley (Mach.), a pulley I"dle v. i.[imp. & p. p.Idled (); p. pr. & vb. n.Idling ().] To lose or spend time in inaction, or without being employed in business. Shak. I"dle v. t.To spend in idleness; to waste; to consume; -- often followed by away; as, to idle away an hour a day. スポンサード リンク
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