In"do*lence (?), n. [L.
indolentia freedom from pain: cf. F. indolence.]
1. Freedom from that which pains, or
harasses, as toil, care, grief, etc. [Obs.]
I have ease, if it may not rather be called
indolence.
Bp. Hough.
2. The quality or condition of being
indolent; inaction, or want of exertion of body or mind, proceeding
from love of ease or aversion to toil; habitual idleness;
indisposition to labor; laziness; sloth; inactivity.
Life spent in indolence, and therefore
sad.
Cowper.
As there is a great truth wrapped up in "diligence,"
what a lie, on the other hand, lurks at the root of our present use
of the word "indolence"! This is from "in" and "doleo," not to
grieve; and indolence is thus a state in which we have no
grief or pain; so that the word, as we now employ it, seems to affirm
that indulgence in sloth and ease is that which would constitute for
us the absence of all pain.
Trench.