melancholy

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: black bilemelancholicsombersombre

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. a feeling of thoughtful sadness
  2. a constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed
  3. a humor that was once believed to be secreted by the kidneys or spleen and to cause sadness and melancholySynonyms: black bile

Adjective (2)

  1. characterized by or causing or expressing sadness“growing more melancholy every hour”“her melancholic smile”“we acquainted him with the melancholy truth”Synonyms: melancholic
  2. grave or even gloomy in character“solemn and mournful music”“a suit of somber black”“a somber mood”Synonyms: sombersombre
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Melancholy \Mel"an*chol*y\, n. [OE. melancolie, F. m['e]lancolie, L. melancholia, fr. Gr. ?; me`las, me`lanos, black + ? gall, bile. See Malice, and 1st Gall.] [1913 Webster]

1.Depression of spirits; a gloomy state continuing a considerable time; deep dejection; gloominess. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2.Great and continued depression of spirits, amounting to mental unsoundness; melancholia. [1913 Webster]

3.Pensive maditation; serious thoughtfulness. [Obs.] "Hail, divinest Melancholy !" --Milton. [1913 Webster]

4.Ill nature. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Melancholy \Mel"an*chol*y\, a.

1.Depressed in spirits; dejected; gloomy dismal. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2.Producing great evil and grief; causing dejection; calamitous; afflictive; as, a melancholy event. [1913 Webster]

3.Somewhat deranged in mind; having the jugment impaired. [Obs.] --Bp. Reynolds. [1913 Webster]

4.Favorable to meditation; somber. [1913 Webster]

A pretty, melancholy seat, well wooded and watered.— Evelin.[1913 Webster]

Syn: Gloomy; sad; dispirited; low-spirited; downhearted; unhappy; hypochondriac; disconsolate; heavy, doleful; dismal; calamitous; afflictive. [1913 Webster]

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