MELANCHOLY Meaning and
Definition
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Melancholy is a noun primarily defined as a deep and prolonged state of sadness, sorrow, or gloom. It is a mood or emotional condition often associated with feelings of depression, listlessness, and a general sense of unhappiness. It encompasses a range of complex emotions, such as pensiveness, nostalgia, longing, and introspection. Melancholy can be characterized by a combination of despondency, lethargy, and a disposition towards contemplating life's profound questions.
This term is commonly used to describe a lingering, introspective sadness that is not transient but rather deep-rooted and enduring. It often evokes a sense of weightiness, as if one is burdened by the weight of their own emotions. It can also pertain to a specific emotional state brought about by certain circumstances, such as the passing of a loved one or the end of a significant relationship.
Melancholy is also associated with artistic expression and creativity. Many artists, writers, and musicians have channeled their melancholic emotions into their work, producing pieces that are considered reflective, poignant, or bittersweet.
In addition to its noun form, "melancholy" can also function as an adjective describing something that evokes or reflects feelings of sadness, darkness, or poignancy, such as a melancholy song or a melancholic landscape. This term can be both a personal emotional state and a descriptor for a broader cultural aesthetic.
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• Dejection or depression of spirits; a gloomy state of mind.
• Dismal; calamitous; low-spirited.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of MELANCHOLY
The word "melancholy" originates from the Middle English word "melancolie", which was derived from the Old French term "melancolie". This Old French term was itself derived from the Late Latin word "melancholia", which came from the Greek words "melas" meaning "black" and "khole" meaning "bile". In ancient medical theories, melancholy was associated with an excess of black bile, one of the four humors believed to regulate the body and emotions. Over time, the meaning of "melancholy" evolved to refer to a deep sadness, gloominess, or pensive state of mind.
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