Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Pensive

Pen′sive

,
Adj.
[F.
pensif
, fr.
penser
to think, fr. L.
pensare
to weigh, ponder, consider, v. intens. fr.
pendere
to weigh. See
Pension
,
Poise
.]
1.
Thoughtful, sober, or sad; employed in serious reflection; given to, or favorable to, earnest or melancholy musing.
The
pensive
secrecy of desert cell.
Milton.
Anxious cares the
pensive
nymph oppressed.
Pope.
2.
Expressing or suggesting thoughtfulness with sadness;
as,
pensive
numbers
.
Prior.

Webster 1828 Edition

Pensive

PEN'SIVE

,
Adj.
[L.penso, to weigh, to consider; pendo, to weigh.]
1.
Literally, thoughtful; employed in serious study or reflection; but it often implies some degree of sorrow, anxiety, depression or gloom of mind; thoughtful and sad, or sorrowful.
Anxious cares the pensive nymph oppress'd.
2.
Expressing thoughtfulness with sadness; as pensive numbers; pensive strains.

Similar Results