melancholy

Definition

As a noun, melancholy is a deep, gentle sadness or reflective gloom. As an adjective, it describes a mood or atmosphere that feels quietly sad or sorrowful.

Etymology

From Middle English via Old French “melancolie”, from Late Latin “melancholia”, from Greek “melankholia” meaning 'black bile', from “melas” 'black' and “kholē” 'bile'. Ancient medicine believed an excess of black bile in the body caused a sad, gloomy temperament.

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