Plangency: meaning, definitions and examples

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plangency

 

[ ˈplæn.dʒən.si ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

emotional state

Plangency refers to a deep, mournful sound or a feeling of melancholy that evokes a strong emotional response. It often describes sounds that resonate with sadness or longing, such as the tolling of a bell. The term can also extend to evoke feelings of sorrow in response to certain experiences or memories.

Synonyms

melancholy, sadness, sorrowfulness, wistfulness

Examples of usage

  • The plangency of the church bell filled the silent evening air.
  • Her voice held a plangency that touched everyone in the room.
  • There was a plangency in his words that lingered long after he finished speaking.

Translations

Translations of the word "plangency" in other languages:

🇵🇹 plangência

🇮🇳 दुखदाई स्थिति

🇩🇪 Wehmut

🇮🇩 kesedihan

🇺🇦 плачевність

🇵🇱 żałość

🇯🇵 悲しみ

🇫🇷 plangence

🇪🇸 plangencia

🇹🇷 acılılık

🇰🇷 슬픔

🇸🇦 حزن

🇨🇿 žalost

🇸🇰 žalosť

🇨🇳 悲伤

🇸🇮 žalost

🇮🇸 sorg

🇰🇿 қайғы

🇬🇪 ტკივილი

🇦🇿 kədər

🇲🇽 plangencia

Etymology

The word 'plangency' originates from the Latin word 'plangere', which means 'to strike' or 'to beat'. This term was used to describe the sound produced when an object is struck, particularly in a manner that conveys emotion. Over time, the meaning evolved, and by the late 19th century, 'plangency' came to specifically denote the quality of a sound that evokes sadness or deep emotion. The transition from a physical act of striking to an emotional resonance emphasizes the profound connection between sound and human feelings. The term now resides primarily in poetic and literary use, capturing the essence of sounds that evoke a sense of longing, sorrow, or nostalgia.