Sen`ti*men"tal (?), a. [Cf. F.
sentimental.] 1. Having, expressing, or
containing a sentiment or sentiments; abounding with moral
reflections; containing a moral reflection; didactic.
[Obsoles.]
Nay, ev'n each moral sentimental stroke,
Where not the character, but poet, spoke,
He lopped, as foreign to his chaste design,
Nor spared a useless, though a golden line.
Whitehead.
2. Inclined to sentiment; having an excess of
sentiment or sensibility; indulging the sensibilities for their own
sake; artificially or affectedly tender; -- often in a reproachful
sense.
A sentimental mind is rather prone to
overwrought feeling and exaggerated tenderness.
Whately.
3. Addressed or pleasing to the emotions only,
usually to the weaker and the unregulated emotions.
Syn. -- Romantic. -- Sentimental, Romantic.
Sentimental usually describes an error or excess of the
sensibilities; romantic, a vice of the imagination. The votary
of the former gives indulgence to his sensibilities for the mere
luxury of their excitement; the votary of the latter allows his
imagination to rove for the pleasure of creating scenes of ideal
enjoiment. "Perhaps there is no less danger in works called
sentimental. They attack the heart more successfully, because
more cautiously." V. Knox. "I can not but look on an
indifferency of mind, as to the good or evil things of this life, as a
mere romantic fancy of such who would be thought to be much
wiser than they ever were, or could be." Bp. Stillingfleet.
Sen`ti*men"tal (?), a. [Cf. F.
sentimental.] 1. Having, expressing, or
containing a sentiment or sentiments; abounding with moral
reflections; containing a moral reflection; didactic.
[Obsoles.]
Nay, ev'n each moral sentimental stroke,
Where not the character, but poet, spoke,
He lopped, as foreign to his chaste design,
Nor spared a useless, though a golden line.
Whitehead.
2. Inclined to sentiment; having an excess of
sentiment or sensibility; indulging the sensibilities for their own
sake; artificially or affectedly tender; -- often in a reproachful
sense.
A sentimental mind is rather prone to
overwrought feeling and exaggerated tenderness.
Whately.
3. Addressed or pleasing to the emotions only,
usually to the weaker and the unregulated emotions.
Syn. -- Romantic. -- Sentimental, Romantic.
Sentimental usually describes an error or excess of the
sensibilities; romantic, a vice of the imagination. The votary
of the former gives indulgence to his sensibilities for the mere
luxury of their excitement; the votary of the latter allows his
imagination to rove for the pleasure of creating scenes of ideal
enjoiment. "Perhaps there is no less danger in works called
sentimental. They attack the heart more successfully, because
more cautiously." V. Knox. "I can not but look on an
indifferency of mind, as to the good or evil things of this life, as a
mere romantic fancy of such who would be thought to be much
wiser than they ever were, or could be." Bp. Stillingfleet.
