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Pining Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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pining

[ˈpaɪnɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

feeling

To feel a strong desire or longing for something or someone, typically for a loved one who is far away or has died.

Synonyms

craving, longing, yearning.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pining

Typically used to describe a deep emotional longing, often associated with sadness or melancholy, especially for someone or something that is no longer present.

  • She was pining for her hometown after moving to the big city.
  • He spent years pining for his first love.
longing

Often refers to a deep, enduring desire for something that is usually out of reach or difficult to obtain. It can be emotional or spiritual in nature.

  • He felt a longing to return to his childhood home.
  • She looked at the old photograph with a sense of longing.
yearning

Describes an intense, often restless desire for something, which can be physical or emotional. There is sometimes a sense of desperation or frustration in this feeling.

  • He was yearning for freedom after years of confinement.
  • She felt a yearning to explore new places.
craving

Used to describe a strong desire or need for something, usually physical or related to consumption, such as food or certain experiences.

  • She was craving chocolate all day.
  • He had a sudden craving for adventure.

Examples of usage

  • I am pining for my hometown.
  • She is pining for her lost love.
  • We spent hours pining for the good old days.
  • The dog is pining for its owner.
Context #2 | Noun

botany

The process of decline or decay in a conifer or other tree as a result of a fungal infection.

Synonyms

decay, decline, deterioration.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pining

This word has already been described earlier in the list.
decline

Used to describe a process of gradual decrease or reduction, often in quality, health, or importance. It can be used in various scenarios including businesses, health, or societies.

  • The company's profits have been in decline for five years.
  • He experienced a gradual decline in health as he aged.
decay

Refers to the gradual process of breaking down or rotting away of organic matter, or metaphorically can describe a decline in moral or social standing.

  • The old house fell into decay after years of neglect.
  • There is concern about the moral decay in our society.
deterioration

Refers to the process of becoming progressively worse, typically applied to physical conditions or situations. It suggests a negative change in state.

  • There was visible deterioration in the building's structure.
  • The patient's condition showed rapid deterioration.

Examples of usage

  • The pine tree showed signs of pining.
  • The pining of the branches was evident.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • The feeling of pining is a common theme in romantic literature, reflecting the intense emotion of longing.
  • Shakespeare often wrote about pining in his plays, symbolizing unrequited love and desire.
  • Poe’s poetry frequently explores the darker sides of pining, merging longing with melancholy.

Psychology

  • Research shows that prolonged pining can affect mental health, leading to feelings of depression and isolation.
  • Neuroscientific studies indicate that the brain responds to feelings of pining similarly to physical pain.
  • The emotional state of pining can trigger a cycle of nostalgia, making it hard to move past feelings of loss.

Pop Culture

  • Numerous songs revolve around the theme of pining, capturing the bittersweet nature of longing for someone.
  • In films, characters often pine for lost love, highlighting how it drives their actions and decisions.
  • The concept is frequently explored in art, with visuals representing longing through empty spaces and distant figures.

Nature

  • In nature, some organisms exhibit signs of pining, such as trees that appear to live longer even after losing their companions.
  • Just as human pining can affect well-being, plants deprived of their surroundings may struggle to thrive.
  • The phenomenon of 'pining' in animal behavior can be observed in pets that show distress when their owners are absent.

Origin of 'pining'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'pining' comes from the Old French 'poindre,' meaning to suffer or be in pain.
  • It originally described the feelings of grief or lament, later evolving to encompass longing.
  • In Middle English, the term was closely related to the concept of enduring pain from unfulfilled love.

The word 'pining' originated from the Old English word 'pinian', meaning to torture or torment. Over time, its meaning evolved to represent a deep longing or desire. In botany, the term 'pining' was used to describe the decline of trees due to fungal infections. The emotional connotation of pining has been widely used in literature and poetry to depict the yearning for something lost or unattainable.

See also: pine, pined.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,119, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.