Doleful: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Middle English 'doleful', which means 'full of sorrow'.
• It is derived from the Old English 'dola', meaning 'sadness' or 'grief'.
• The prefix 'do-' comes from an Old English term meaning 'to suffer' or 'to grieve'.

Psychology

• Feeling doleful can be a natural response to loss or disappointment, indicating the body's way of coping with emotional pain.
• Expressing feelings of sadness helps in processing grief and allows for healing over time.
• Chronic feelings of sadness, if prolonged, may relate to mood disorders like depression that can impact daily living.

Literature

• In literature, characters described as doleful often evoke empathy from readers, illustrating deep emotional struggles.
• Famous works like Shakespeare's plays include characters who display doleful characteristics, highlighting themes of tragedy and loss.
• The use of the term adds to the imagery in poetry, often used to describe landscapes that reflect a character's inner turmoil.

Pop Culture

• Songs often capture the essence of being doleful, resonating with listeners who have experienced heartache or sorrow.
• In movies, a doleful character can drive the plot, often leading to redemption or personal growth.
• The visual arts often portray doleful expressions to convey emotional depth and invite viewers to reflect on their own experiences.

Common Usage

• The word is often used in contexts related to mourning or deep sadness.
• In everyday conversation, describing someone's demeanor as doleful indicates their unhappy mood.
• The term can appear in formal and informal settings, making it versatile in expressing emotion.

Positioned at #24,089, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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• 24089 doleful
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