Perfunctory: Adjective : Lacking interest of enthusiasm.
From the novel “Beloved”,”Together they waged a perfunctory battle against the outrageous behavior of that place; against turned-over slop jars, smacks on the behind, gusts of sour air”.(Page 4)
Now i understand that they have given up on taking care of the place.
It’s not so much that they gave up on it, but rather that their efforts to care for it were perfunctory. Apply the meaning to the word in that context and you’ll have a clearer sense of what their approach was.
i think, perfunctory battle means a battle where there is no opponent to fight yet they must fight againt it.
Are you familiar with the expression “going through the motions”? That is how I would describe perfunctory in my own words.