释义 |
mel·an·choly I. \ˈmelənˌkälē, -äli, chiefly Brit -_kəli or -eləŋk-\ noun (-es) Etymology: Middle English malencolie, from Middle French melancolie, from Late Latin melancholia, from Greek, from melan- + cholē, cholos gall, bile + -ia -y — more at gall 1. a. archaic : a supposed abnormal state held to be due to the presence of an excess of black bile and characterized by sullen irascibility or gloomy mental depression b. archaic : black bile c. : melancholia 2. obsolete : a condition of sullen ill-temper : anger, irascibility 3. a. : depression of spirits : gloomy mood or condition : dejection b. : a pensive or moody condition : quietly serious thoughtfulness 4. obsolete a. : a cause of melancholy b. : an attack of melancholy Synonyms: see sadness II. adjective 1. obsolete a. : affected with or subject to melancholy b. : of, relating to, or caused by black bile 2. obsolete : ill-natured, sullen, irascible 3. a. : depressed in spirits : dejected, gloomy, dismal, mournful, sad b. : seriously thoughtful or meditative : pensive 4. a. : suggestive or expressive of melancholy or dejection : depressing < melancholy music > b. : producing sadness : causing dejection : lamentable, afflicting < a melancholy event > c. obsolete : favorable to meditation : somber |