lachrymose

[ lak-ruh-mohs ]
See synonyms for lachrymose on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. suggestive of or tending to cause tears; mournful.

  2. given to shedding tears readily; tearful.

Origin of lachrymose

1
First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin lacrimōsus, equivalent to lacrim(a) “tear” (see lachrymal) + -ōsus -ose1

Other words from lachrymose

  • lach·ry·mose·ly, adverb
  • lach·ry·mos·i·ty [lak-ruh-mos-i-tee], /ˌlæk rəˈmɒs ɪ ti/, noun

Words Nearby lachrymose

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use lachrymose in a sentence

  • Ruth had her arms about the little old woman and her own voice was caressing if not lachrymose.

    Ruth Fielding At College | Alice B. Emerson
  • "I will no longer read what people may now write about me," he bursts out in a fit of lachrymose querulousness.

  • The lachrymose prelate contributed hugely to the gaiety of nations.

    Lola Montez | Edmund B. d'Auvergne
  • M. Nioche drained his pungent glass at a long draught, and looked out from eyes more lachrymose in consequence.

    The American | Henry James
  • Our interviews were largely lachrymose on her part and morose on mine, after argument proved futile.

    A Romantic Young Lady | Robert Grant

British Dictionary definitions for lachrymose

lachrymose

/ (ˈlækrɪˌməʊs, -ˌməʊz) /


adjective
  1. given to weeping; tearful

  2. mournful; sad

Origin of lachrymose

1
C17: from Latin lacrimōsus, from lacrima a tear

Derived forms of lachrymose

  • lachrymosely, adverb
  • lachrymosity (ˌlækrɪˈmɒsɪtɪ), noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012