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Definition of plaintive adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

plaintive

adjective
 
/ˈpleɪntɪv/
 
/ˈpleɪntɪv/
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  1. sounding sad, especially in a weak, complaining way synonym mournful
    • a plaintive cry/voice
    Topics Feelingsc2
    Oxford Collocations DictionaryPlaintive is used with these nouns:
    • cry
    • melody
    • voice
    • …
    See full entry
    Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French plaintif, -ive, from plainte ‘lamentation’, feminine past participle of plaindre ‘complain’, or from Old French plaint, from Latin planctus ‘beating of the breast’.
See plaintive in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: plaintive

Nearby words

influence
verb
 
 
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