Melancholy



GRE Barron

解释

GRE 红宝书

• adj. 忧郁的; 令人悲伤的
• ［英］ adj. 忧郁的 ( depressed) ; 令人悲伤的 ( causing depression)
• ［记］ melan ( 黑色) +chol ( =bile胆汁) +y -> 胆汁发黑 -> 忧郁的
• ［同］ 派生词: melancholic ( adj. 忧郁的 )
• ［例］ The melancholy song made me cry.

Webster Collegiate

I. noun (plural -cholies)

• Etymology: Middle English malencolie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin melancholia, from Greek, from melan- + cholē bile — more at gall
• Date: 14th century
• 1.
  • a. an abnormal state attributed to an excess of black bile and characterized by irascibility or depression
  • b. black bile
  • c. melancholia
• 2.
  • a. depression of spirits ; dejection
  • b. a pensive mood

II. adjective

• Date: 14th century
• 1.
  • a. suggestive or expressive of melancholy <sang in a melancholy voice>
  • b. causing or tending to cause sadness or depression of mind or spirit ; dismal <a melancholy thought>
• 2.
  • a. depressed in spirits ; dejected, sad
  • b. pensive

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