pensive
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology
From Middle English pensif, pensyfe, pencyve, from Old French pensif (“thoughtful”), from penser (“to think”) (from Latin pēnsō) + -if (English -ive).
Pronunciation
Adjective
pensive (comparative more pensive, superlative most pensive)
- Engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought.
- Having the appearance of deep, often melancholic, thinking.
- Looking thoughtful, especially from sadness.
- 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral., London: Oxford University Press, published 1973, § 4:
- Abstruse thought and profound researches I prohibit, and will severely punish, by the pensive melancholy which they introduce
- 1979, J.G. Ballard, The Unlimited Dream Company, chapter 21:
- Through the deep grass the faces of the three children glowed like pensive moons.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
having the appearance of thinking
|
looking thoughtful or sad
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Anagrams
Adjective
pensive
Adjective
pensive f
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