Jejune
/dʒɪˈdʒuːn/noun
Lacking substance, interest, or nourishment; also relating to the empty state of being unproductive or immature.
Did you know?Jejune comes from Latin jejunus, meaning “fasting” or “empty of food,” so its modern sense of “dry” or “insubstantial” grew out of the physical state of being unfed.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ieǵ-
“A root associated with fasting or being hungry, though the exact reconstruction is uncertain.”
Latin
Latin
jejunus
“Fasting; empty; not having eaten.”
Late Latin
Latin
jejunare
“To fast.”
Old French
Old French
jejune
“Fasting; meager; barren.”
14th Century
English
jejune
“Fasting; lacking nourishment.”
Modern English
English
jejune
“Lacking interest, substance, or maturity.”