Plaintively Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ข
plaintively
[หpleษชntษชvli ]
Definition
tone of voice
The adverb 'plaintively' describes an expression of sorrow or melancholy in a voice or manner. It is often used to convey a sense of longing or sadness when someone is communicating their feelings. When someone speaks plaintively, their tone usually invokes pity or evokes an emotional response from others. This term is often utilized in literature or poetry to emphasize deep emotional states.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She called out plaintively, missing her lost friend.
- The dog whined plaintively at the door, wanting to come inside.
- He recounted his tale plaintively, drawing tears from the listeners.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Literature
- Many poets and novelists use plaintive language to evoke empathy and connect readers to characters' emotional struggles.
- A famous example is seen in the works of Edgar Allan Poe, where his use of plaintively captures the essence of loss and longing.
- In Shakespeare's plays, characters often speak plaintively to express their inner turmoil and pain, deepening the tragic atmosphere.
Psychology
- Expressing emotions plaintively can be a healthy way to process and communicate feelings of sadness or grief.
- Research shows that using plaintive speech can increase empathy in listeners, making them more likely to offer support.
- Children often learn to express their feelings plaintively during moments of sadness; encouraging this can help them develop emotional literacy.
Music
- Many songs contain plaintive melodies that draw listeners in with a sense of nostalgia or sorrow, making them memorable.
- Famous ballads often use a plaintive tone to evoke emotional responses, like Adeleโs 'Someone Like You'.
- In classical music, composers like Chopin created plaintive pieces that express deep emotional pain through harmonies and melodies.
Art
- Artists often depict plaintive expressions in their portraits to convey the depth of human emotion, stirring feelings in their viewers.
- Paintings, such as Edvard Munch's 'The Scream', effectively use plaintive imagery to express existential despair.
- The plaintive style is also found in modern art, where artists may use color and form to convey sadness and longing without words.
Origin of 'plaintively'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'plaintively' comes from the Old French word 'plaintif', meaning 'sorrowful' or 'complaining'.
- Its roots can be traced back to the Latin word 'planctus', which means 'to lament' or 'to wail'.
- It was first recorded in English around the early 19th century, gaining popularity in literature.
The word 'plaintively' derives from the root word 'plaint', which comes from the Old French term 'plaindre', meaning 'to lament' or 'to complain'. This Old French term is rooted in the Latin 'planctus', which is the past participle of 'plangere', meaning 'to strike' or 'to beat' but also signifies 'to mourn'. The adverbial form of 'plaintively' emphasizes a manner of speaking or expressing feelings that is characterized by sorrowful lamentation. The development of this word reflects a long history of emotional expression in language, where the nuances of sorrow can be captured linguistically. Over time, 'plaintively' has become an essential descriptor in literary works to convey profound sadness.