Category:Melancholy

Mel"an*chol*y, n. Etym: [OE. melancolie, F. mélancolie, L. melancholia, fr. Gr. Malice, and 1st Gall.]

1. Depression of spirits; a gloomy state continuing a considerable time; deep dejection; gloominess. Shak.

2. Great and continued depression of spirits, amounting to mental unsoundness; melancholia.

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

4. Ill nature. [Obs.] Chaucer.

melancholy Mel"an*chol*y, a.

1. Depressed in spirits; dejected; gloomy dismal. Shak.

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

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

4. Favorable to meditation; somber. A pretty, melancholy seat, well wooded and watered. Evelin.

Syn. -- Gloomy; sad; dispirited; low-spirited; downhearted; unhappy; hypochondriac; disconsolate; heavy, doleful; dismal; calamitous; afflictive.