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wistful

 - 3 dictionary results

wist⋅ful

  [wist-fuhl]
Use wistful in a Sentence
–adjective
1. characterized by melancholy; longing; yearning.
2. pensive, esp. in a melancholy way.
Origin:
1605–15; obs. wist quiet, silent, attentive (var. of whist 2 ) + -ful

Related forms:
wist⋅ful⋅ly, adverb
wist⋅ful⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
2. reflective, musing, meditative, forlorn.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To wistful
wist·ful   (wĭst'fəl)   
adj.  

  1. Full of wishful yearning.

  2. Pensively sad; melancholy.


[From obsolete wistly, intently.]
wist'ful·ly adv., wist'ful·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

wistful 
1613, "closely attentive," from obsolete wist "intent" (c.1500), of uncertain origin. Perhaps formed on the model of wishful. The meaning of "yearningly eager" is first recorded 1714.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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