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Webster 1913 Edition

Adj.

[For

wishful

; perhaps influenced by

wistly

, which is probably corrupted from OE.

wisly

certainly (from Icel.

viss

certain, akin to E.

wit

). See

Longing; wishful; desirous.

Lifting up one of my sashes, I cast many a

wistful

, melancholy look towards the sea.

Swift.

Full of thought; eagerly attentive; meditative; musing; pensive; contemplative.

That he who there at such an hour hath been,
Will

wistful

linger on that hallowed spot.

Byron.

–

Wist′ful-ly

adv.

–

Wist′ful-ness

Noun.

Adj.

[from wist. The sense is stretching or reaching towards.] Full of thoughts; earnest; attentive.

Why--dost thou so wistful seem?