mourn

UK: mɔːn | US: mɔːrn

Definition
  1. vi. to feel or express deep sorrow, especially for someone’s death

  2. vt. to grieve for a loss or death

Structure

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Etymology

The word "mourn" traces back to Old English murnan, meaning "to grieve or be anxious." It shares roots with Proto-Germanic murnaną, reflecting a deep-seated concept of sorrow. Over time, its meaning narrowed to focus specifically on grief for the dead. The word’s simplicity and emotional weight have preserved its form across centuries, making it a direct linguistic descendant of ancient expressions of loss.

Examples
  1. She continues to mourn her grandfather years after his passing.

  2. The entire nation mourned the loss of the beloved leader.

  3. He sat quietly, mourning the end of his long friendship.

  4. The poem expresses how deeply the author mourned his childhood home.

  5. Birds were said to mourn when their mates died.