Mel"an*chol*y (?), n. [OE.
melancolie, F. mélancolie, L.
melancholia, fr. Gr. &?;; me`las, -anos,
black + &?; gall, bile. See Malice, and 1st Gall.]
1. Depression of spirits; a gloomy state
continuing a considerable time; deep dejection; gloominess.
Shak.
2. Great and continued depression of spirits,
amounting to mental unsoundness; melancholia.
3. Pensive maditation; serious
thoughtfulness. [Obs.] "Hail, divinest Melancholy !"
Milton.
4. Ill nature. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mel"an*chol*y, a. 1.
Depressed in spirits; dejected; gloomy dismal.
Shak.
2. Producing great evil and grief; causing
dejection; calamitous; afflictive; as, a melancholy
event.
3. Somewhat deranged in mind; having the
jugment impaired. [Obs.] Bp. Reynolds.
4. Favorable to meditation; somber.
A pretty, melancholy seat, well wooded and
watered.
Evelin.
Syn. -- Gloomy; sad; dispirited; low-spirited; downhearted;
unhappy; hypochondriac; disconsolate; heavy, doleful; dismal;
calamitous; afflictive.
