idlehood

English

Etymology

From idle +‎ -hood, possibly an alteration of obsolete English idlehead (“idleness”), possibly from Middle English idelhed (“vanity”). Compare also Scots ydilheid (“idleness”), Dutch ijdelheid (“vanity, vainglory”), Middle Low German îdelheit (“idleness”), and German Eitelkeit (“vanity, conceit, vainness, idleness”).

Noun

idlehood (uncountable)

1. (rare) The state or condition of being idle; a habit of idling; idleness.
   • 1883, The United Presbyterian Magazine, volume 27, page 88:

     It is but too clearly proved and too sadly illustrated in the experience and lives of many ministers, who lay down, half gladly, half reluctantly, the weapons of the old struggle whenever the shelter of the manse is gained - who allow the old ideals of self - culture and self-discipline to fade away and get utterly lost sight of amid the engrossing cares or drowsy idlehood of professional life.

   • 1960, Catholic World, volume 191, page 197:

     Planned Idlehood

   • 1965, The Broadway Journal, volume 1, page 265:

     […] laborers contented with their condition, lest they should grow dissatisfied and refuse to work any longer to support a certain number of their fellow beings is a state of idlehood; […]

   • 2014, Sandeep Dahiya, Faceless Gods, page 57:

     But he didn't even seem to enjoy his idlehood.

Synonyms

• idledom
• idleness
• idleship