Plangency Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ถ
plangency
[หplรฆn.dสษn.si ]
Definition
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
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Interesting Facts
Literature
- Often used by poets to convey deep emotion, for instance, in works that reflect on loss or longing.
- Classic literary elements like plangency help create an atmosphere that allows readers to connect with the charactersโ feelings.
Music
- Certain musical pieces are described as plangent when they evoke sorrowful or reflective emotions, such as some symphonies or ballads.
- Composers like Chopin and Beethoven often employed plangent melodies to express complex feelings of love and loss.
Psychology
- Sounds described as plangent can trigger specific emotional responses, prompting reflection or catharsis in listeners.
- Research shows that certain sounds can affect mood, with mournful tones often leading to feelings of nostalgia or sadness.
Art
- Visual art, like paintings, can also evoke plangency by portraying grief or melancholy, inviting viewers to feel deep emotions.
- Famous artists like Edvard Munch explored themes of anguish and loneliness in works that resonate with the concept of plangency.
Origin of 'plangency'
Main points about word origin
- Originates from the Latin word 'plangere', meaning 'to strike or beat', which relates to sounds often created by hitting something.
- First recorded use in English dates back to the 14th century, mainly describing sounds that evoke sadness or nostalgia.
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.