PLAINTIVE Meaning and
Definition
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The word "plaintive" is an adjective used to describe a tone, voice, or expression that conveys sadness, grief, or sorrow. It refers to a specific quality or characteristic of an utterance that evokes a feeling of melancholy or longing.
When something is described as plaintive, it often suggests emotional pain or distress. It carries a sense of mournful or mournfully expressive regret, yearning, or lamentation. This word can be used to describe various forms of artistic expressions, such as music, poetry, or even personal communication.
A plaintive sound or voice is typically soft, gentle, and marked by a delicate quiver or tremor, giving the impression of a person or thing on the verge of tears or deeply affected by sadness. It is akin to a sorrowful melody that tugs at the heartstrings, drawing a poignant response from those who hear it.
This word is derived from the Middle English word "plaintif," meaning mournful or sorrowful, which originates from the Old French term "plaintif" or "plainte," meaning a lament or complaint.
To summarize, "plaintive" describes a vocal quality or expression that reflects a profound sadness or grief, evoking a sense of longing or lamentation. It is a word commonly used to describe artistic works or emotional communication that conveys deep sorrow.
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Expressing grief or sorrow; touching; sad.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for PLAINTIVE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for PLAINTIVE
Etymology of PLAINTIVE
The word "plaintive" originated from Latin, derived from the verb "plangere" which means "to lament" or "to strike". In Latin, the root word "planus" means "flat" or "outspread", and it came to be associated with the idea of beating one's chest or striking something in grief or mourning. Over time, this Latin root evolved into the Old French word "plaintif" and eventually made its way into English as "plaintive" in the 14th century.
Similar spelling words for PLAINTIVE
- planty,
- plaint,
- planter,
- plantar,
- plinth,
- Plantz,
- plaintiff,
- plantal,
- plenty,
- plantain,
- plaintively,
- plenteous,
- plantlet,
- plant genus,
- Plants,
- plant virus,
- plantae,
- plenteously,
- pliantness,
- pliant,
- plantagenet,
- planted.
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