The Collaborative International Dictionary
Sedentary \Sed"en*ta*ry\, a. [L. sedentarius, fr. sedere to sit: cf. F. se['e]dentaire. See Sedent.]
Accustomed to sit much or long; as, a sedentary man. ``Sedentary, scholastic sophists.''
--Bp. Warburton.-
Characterized by, or requiring, much sitting; as, a sedentary employment; a sedentary life.
Any education that confined itself to sedentary pursuits was essentially imperfect.
--Beaconsfield. -
Inactive; motionless; sluggish; hence, calm; tranquil. [R.] ``The sedentary earth.''
--Milton.The soul, considered abstractly from its passions, is of a remiss, sedentary nature.
--Spectator. Caused by long sitting. [Obs.] ``Sedentary numbness.''
--Milton.-
(Zo["o]l.) Remaining in one place, especially when firmly attached to some object; as, the oyster is a sedentary mollusk; the barnacles are sedentary crustaceans.
Sedentary spider (Zo["o]l.), one of a tribe of spiders which rest motionless until their prey is caught in their web.