a. and sb. Forms: 4 litargik, -yk, 7–8 lethargick(e, (6–7 lethargique), 7– lethargic. [ad. L. lēthargic-us, ad. Gr. ληθαργικ-ός, f. λήθαργ-ος: see LETHARGY. Cf. F. léthargique.] A. adj.
1. Affected with lethargy or morbid drowsiness.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVIII. xxix. (1495), 791. The litargik man that hath the slepynge euyll.
1720. Wodrow Corr. (1843), II. 528. He was very lethargic, and was cupped.
b. transf. Affected with inertness or inactivity; dull, sleepy, sluggish, apathetic.
1612. Donne, Progr. Soul, 2nd Anniv. 64. To be thus stupid is Alacritie; Men thus Lethargique have best Memory.
a. 1649. Drumm. of Hawth., Poems, Wks. (1711), 31. Blind and Lethargick of thy heavenly Grace.
1752. Hume, Ess. & Treat. (1777), I. 153. [Nature] allows not such noble faculties to lie lethargic.
1817. J. Scott, Paris Revisit. (ed. 4), 58. The numerous, populous, bustling, and neat towns of that country, are likely to present … striking contrasts to the lethargic Flemish cities.
1835. Lytton, Rienzi, X. vi. Those he employed were lukewarm and lethargic.
1876. Bancroft, Hist. U.S., I. iii. 83. The exiles of a year had grown familiar with the favorite amusement of the lethargic Indians; and they introduced into England the general use of tobacco.
2. Of or belonging to a state of lethargy.
1595. Jas. VI. to Q. Eliz., in Lett. (Camd.), lviii. 111. That ye quho uas so uachfull … as … to foruairne me of my perrell,… should nou, in the uerrie heicht … thairof, be fallen in so lethargique a sleip, as [etc.].
a. 1649. Drumm. of Hawth., Poems, Wks. (1711), 25. Sin’s lethargick Sleep.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., X. § 81. His constitution and temper might very well incline him to the Lethargick indisposition of which he dyed.
1692. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), II. 501. The lord Trevors is said to be recovered of a lethargick fitt.
1734. trans. Rollin’s Anc. Hist. (1827), I. 132. They sank into a lethargic sloth and effeminacy.
1844. Lever, T. Burke, xxxv. (1857), 340. My lethargic apathy increased upon me.
1853. Kane, Grinnell Exp., xxx. (1856), 262. I felt that lethargic numbness mentioned in the story books.
1860. Motley, Netherl. (1868), II. xviii. 422. The lethargic condition of Germany rendered such threats superfluous.
1875. H. C. Wood, Therap. (1879), 228. In three to six hours he comes out of his lethargic condition.
3. Causing lethargy.
1715–20. Pope, Iliad, XV. 876. Too long Jove lull’d us with lethargic charms.
c. 1765. Flloyd, Tartarian T. (1785), 127/1. A lethargick vapour deprived me of my senses.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., V. Found to possess lethargic properties.
B. sb. A lethargic person; one who is affected with lethargy. ? Obs.
c. 1470. Harding, Chron. CCXL. xxvii. The frowarde heretykes That … strayen oute as they were litargykes.
1694. Salmon, Bate’s Dispens. (1713), 58/2. It … revives Apoplecticks and Lethargicks.
1750. trans. Leonardus’ Mirr. Stones, 136 (216). The white, we think, restores health to the lunatic and lethargic.
Hence † Lethargicness.
1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Ch.-Porch, lvi. A grain of glorie mixt with humblenesse Cures both a fever and lethargicknesse.
1727. in Bailey, vol. II.
