a. [ L. sedentarius, fr. sedere to sit: cf. F. seédentaire. See Sedent. ] 1. Accustomed to sit much or long; as, a sedentary man. “Sedentary, scholastic sophists.” Bp. Warburton. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Characterized by, or requiring, much sitting; as, a sedentary employment; a sedentary life. [ 1913 Webster ] Any education that confined itself to sedentary pursuits was essentially imperfect. Beaconsfield. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Inactive; motionless; sluggish; hence, calm; tranquil. [ R. ] “The sedentary earth.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] The soul, considered abstractly from its passions, is of a remiss, sedentary nature. Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Caused by long sitting. [ Obs. ] “Sedentary numbness.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. (Zool.) Remaining in one place, especially when firmly attached to some object; as, the oyster is a sedentary mollusk; the barnacles are sedentary crustaceans. [ 1913 Webster ]
Sedentary spider (Zool.), one of a tribe of spiders which rest motionless until their prey is caught in their web. [ 1913 Webster ]
| 
