Main Entry: sloth

Pronunciation: \ˈslȯth, ˈsläth also ˈslōth\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural sloths \with ths or thz\

Etymology: Middle English slouthe, from slow slow

Date: 12th century

1 a : disinclination to action or labor : indolence b : spiritual apathy and inactivity <the deadly sin of sloth>
2 : any of various slow-moving arboreal edentate mammals (genera Bradypus and Choloepus) that inhabit tropical forests of South and Central America, hang from the branches back downward, and feed on leaves, shoots, and fruits — compare three-toed sloth, two-toed sloth

[sloth illustration]