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(), n.[OE. melancolie, F. mlancolie, L. melancholia, fr. Gr. ; me°las, -anos, black + gall, bile. See 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. Mel"ancholy 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. Evelyn. Syn. -- Gloomy; sad; dispirited; low-spirited; downhearted; unhappy; hypochondriac; disconsolate; heavy; doleful; dismal; calamitous; afflictive. スポンサード リンク
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