pensive

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Contents

English[edit]

WOTD – 15 December 2009    
A pensive expression.

Etymology[edit]

From French pensif (“thoughtful”), from the verb penser (“to think”) by adding suffix -if (English -ive), from Latin pēnsō.

Pronunciation[edit]

Adjective[edit]

pensive (comparative more pensive, superlative most pensive)

  1. Having the appearance of deep, often melancholic, thinking.
  2. Looking thoughtful, especially from sadness.
    • 1748. David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 4.
      Abstruse thought and profound researches I prohibit, and will severely punish, by the pensive melancholy which they introduce

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

having the appearance of thinking
looking thoughtful or sad

Anagrams[edit]

French[edit]

Adjective[edit]

pensive

  1. Feminine singular of pensif

Old French[edit]

Adjective[edit]

pensive f

  1. Nominative feminine singular of pensif
  2. Oblique feminine singular of pensif
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