Word and Quotes of the Night

mel·an·chol·ic [mel-uhn-kol-ik]
adj.

Characterized by or causing or expressing sadness; “growing more melancholy every hour”; “her melancholic smile”; “we acquainted him with the melancholy truth”

[syn: melancholy] n : someone subject to melancholia [syn: melancholiac]

Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University

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RELEVANT QUOTES:

“Melancholy is the pleasure of being sad”

— Victor Hugo (French romantic Poet, Novelist and Dramatist, 1802-1885)

“I can suck melancholy out of a song as a weasel sucks eggs.”

— William Shakespeare (English Dramatist, Playwright and Poet, 1564-1616)

“Many men are melancholy by hearing music, but it is a pleasing melancholy that it causeth; and therefore to such as are discontent, in woe, fear, sorrow, or dejected, it is a most present remedy”

— Robert Burton (English Writer and Clergyman, 1577-1640)

“Who can explain the secret pathos of Nature’s loveliness? It is a touch of melancholy inherited from our mother Eve. It is an unconscious memory of the lost Paradise. It is the sense that even if we should find another Eden, we would not be fit to enjoy it perfectly nor stay in it forever.”

—  Henry Van Dyke (American short-story Writer, Poet and Essayist, 1852-1933)

“I think that the indefinable space between happy and sad is the most moving and compelling place for an artist to be. If there’s anything I consistently strive for, it’s a melancholy limbo.”

—  Shawn Colvin

“‘Tis melancholy, and a fearful sign Of human frailty, folly, also crime, That love and marriage rarely can combine, Although they both are born in the same clime; Marriage from love, like vinegar from wine – A sad, sour, sober beverage – by time Is s”

—  Lord Byron (English Romantic poet and satirist, 1788-1824)

“. . . she indulged in melancholy – that cheapest and most accessible of luxuries . . .”

— Charles Dickens quotes (English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian era, 1812-1870)

Word of the Day

Augur

n. (au•gur)

1. One of a group of ancient Roman religious officials who foretold events by observing and interpreting signs and omens.
2. A seer or prophet; a soothsayer.

v. (au•gured, au•gur•ing, au•gurs)
v. tr.

1. To predict, especially from signs or omens; foretell. See Synonyms at foretell.
2. To serve as an omen of; betoken: trends that augur change in society.

v. intr.

1. To make predictions from signs or omens.
2. To be a sign or omen: A smooth dress rehearsal augured well for the play.

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[Middle English, from Latin. See aug- in Indo-European Roots.]

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Source: The American Heritage. 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.