Words / C2

el-i-JEYE-uh-k/ˌelɪˈdʒaɪək/

Elegiac means expressing sorrow for something past, as of an elegy (literary): an elegiac tone, elegiac about a lost ward. Sad (already in the dictionary) is everyday; to mourn (already in the dictionary) is to grieve. Lamentable (already in the dictionary) is regrettably poor, a quality judgement — the mix-up. Blithe (already in the dictionary) is carelessly cheerful. Doleful and dolorous (this batch) are sorrow of look and of literary grief. A hymn about the clinic is not a spare key.

Meaning

Expressing sorrow for something past, as of an elegy (literary).

Examples

• “An elegiac note about the clinic is not a spare key.”
• “Sad is everyday (already in A1). To mourn is to grieve (already in B2). Lamentable is deplorably poor (already in C2) — the mix-up. Blithe is carelessly cheerful (already in C2) — the contrast. This batch: doleful / dolorous. Atmosphere on the night can be exact. Atmosphere instead of a named spare is a hole. Write the key-holder; then the lament.”

Good to know

Wistfully mournful (literary). Everyday: sad / mourn (already in this dictionary). Mix-up: lamentable (poor — already in C2). Contrast: blithe (already in C2). This batch: doleful / dolorous. A lament ≠ a key.

Near in meaning

mournful, plaintive, lamenting, wistful

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