Languished: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin word 'languere', meaning 'to be faint, to be weary'.
• It has been part of the English language since the late 14th century, emphasizing feelings of weakness.
• Often associated with lacking strength or vitality, it illustrates a deep sense of weariness.

Literature

• In Shakespeare's works, characters often express feelings of languishing in love and life, showing emotional despair.
• Writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald used the term to depict characters stuck in an unfulfilled existence.
• The term is frequently used to describe a sense of longing or desire that goes unfulfilled in poetic contexts.

Psychology

• Languishing is often contrasted with flourishing, representing a state of emptiness that affects mental well-being.
• Research shows that languishing can lead to increased feelings of depression and anxiety over time.
• The concept highlights the importance of emotional health, where simply being 'okay' is not enough for well-being.

Pop Culture

• Songs and poems often explore themes of languishing, particularly in connection to love and loss.
• Popular films sometimes portray characters who languish in relationships, creating dramatic tension.
• The concept of languishing has garnered attention on social media, defining a modern sense of malaise.

Art

• In paintings, figures depicted as languishing often show subdued colors and relaxed postures, evoking feelings of introspection.
• Artists like Edvard Munch have illustrated the feeling of languish through emotion-filled expressions in their works.
• The theme of languishing appears in visual art as a reflection on isolation and existential dread.

Positioned at #23,526, 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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• 23526 languished
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