plaintive

Etymology

From Middle English pleintif, plentyff, from French plaintif (“aggrieved, lamenting”), from plainte (“lament, complaint”); see plaint. Doublet of plaintiff.

adj

  1. Sounding sorrowful, mournful or melancholic.
    a typically plaintive song from Radiohead
    I can see by your plaintive smile something is wrong, so spill it.

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