'Melancholy' definitions:

Definition of 'melancholy'

From: WordNet
adjective
Characterized by or causing or expressing sadness; "growing more melancholy every hour"; "her melancholic smile"; "we acquainted him with the melancholy truth" [syn: melancholy, melancholic]
adjective
Grave or even gloomy in character; "solemn and mournful music"; "a suit of somber black"; "a somber mood" [syn: somber, sombre, melancholy]
noun
A feeling of thoughtful sadness
noun
A constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed
noun
A humor that was once believed to be secreted by the kidneys or spleen and to cause sadness and melancholy [syn: black bile, melancholy]

Definition of 'Melancholy'

From: 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]

Definition of 'Melancholy'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Synonyms of 'melancholy'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Melancholy'