Acedia

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /əˈsiːdɪə/

Definitions

1. A feeling of sluggishness or indifference toward one's responsibilities that can lead to spiritual disconnection
2. A mental state defined by profound lethargy and a disregard for moral or spiritual obligations that undermines personal growth
3. A state of disinterest and apathy towards one's duties that can result in a sense of detachment from emotional or spiritual fulfillment

Etymology: Acedia began as a monastic term for a spiritual malaise. In the Greek of early Christian monks, "akēdia" combined a negating prefix with "kēdos," meaning care or concern, so the word named a state of carelessness, a failure to care about anything, especially one's devotion. Its sense was closer to restlessness and listlessness than to the sadness we now associate with tiredness of spirit. The Latin "acēdia" carried this meaning into Western monasteries, where it was counted among the deadly sins, and it was closely linked with the noonday weariness that tempted monks to abandon prayer and their cells. English borrowed the word directly from Latin, and it appears in English in the 1600s, though the spelling "accidie" arrived through Old French and reflects the same word by a different route.

Synonyms: apathy, indifference, boredom, listlessness, laziness

Antonyms: enthusiasm, interest, passion, zeal, energy