plaintive
UK: ˈpleɪntɪv | US: ˈpleɪntɪv
adj. expressing sorrow or melancholy; mournful
plaintive = plaint<lament> + ive<adjective suffix>
- plaint (from Old French plainte, meaning "lament," derived from Latin planctus, past participle of plangere "to strike, lament")
- ive (a suffix forming adjectives, from Latin -ivus, indicating "pertaining to" or "having the nature of")
Etymology Origin:
The word plaintive traces back to the Latin verb plangere, which originally meant "to strike" (as in beating one's chest in grief) and later evolved to mean "to lament." Through Old French plainte, the root plaint entered English, retaining its mournful connotation. The suffix -ive was added to form an adjective, giving us plaintive—a word that vividly captures the sound and feeling of sorrow.
The plaintive cry of the lone wolf echoed through the valley.
She sang a plaintive melody that brought tears to the audience.
His plaintive voice revealed the depth of his grief.
The violin’s plaintive notes filled the empty room.
A plaintive sigh escaped her lips as she read the letter.