woolgathering

noun

wool·gath·er·ing | \ ˈwu̇l-ˌga-t͟h(ə-)riŋ

, -ˌge-t͟h(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of woolgathering

: indulgence in idle daydreaming

Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about woolgathering

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Synonyms for woolgathering

Synonyms

daydreaming, reverie (also revery), study, trance

Did You Know?

Woolgathering once literally referred to the act of gathering loose tufts of wool that had gotten caught on bushes and fences as sheep passed by. Woolgatherers must have seemed to wander aimlessly, gaining little for their efforts, for in the mid-16th century "woolgathering" began to appear in figurative phrases such as "my wits (or my mind) went a-woolgathering" - in other words, "my mind went wandering aimlessly." From there, it wasn't long before the word woolgathering came to suggest the act of indulging in purposeless mind-wandering.

Examples of woolgathering in a Sentence

my woolgathering was abruptly interrupted by a question from the flight attendant