Melancholy
/ˈmɛl.ənˌkɒl.i/noun
A deep, persistent sadness or gloom.
Did you know?In ancient Greek medicine, melancholy was believed to be caused by an excess of black bile, thought to affect mood and behavior profoundly.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μελανχολία
“A condition of having an excess of black bile.”
Latin
Latin
melancholia
“A term borrowed from Greek, referring to the same condition of sadness.”
Middle English
Middle English
melancolie
“Adoption of the Latin term, retaining the association with deep sadness.”
Modern English
English
melancholy
“The current form, referring broadly to a state of persistent sadness or gloom.”