pensive

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English

WOTD – 15 December 2009

Etymology

From Middle English pensif, pensyfe, pencyve, from Old French pensif (“thoughtful”), from penser (“to think”) (from Latin pēnsō) + -if (English -ive).

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈpɛn.sɪv/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Audio (AU)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɛnsɪv

Adjective

pensive (comparative more pensive, superlative most pensive)

  1. Engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought.
  2. Having the appearance of deep, often melancholic, thinking.
  3. Looking thoughtful, especially from sadness.
    • 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral., London: Oxford University Press, published 1973, § 4:
      Abstruse thought and profound researches I prohibit, and will severely punish, by the pensive melancholy which they introduce
    • 1979, J.G. Ballard, The Unlimited Dream Company, chapter 21:
      Through the deep grass the faces of the three children glowed like pensive moons.

Derived terms

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French

Adjective

pensive

  1. feminine singular of pensif

Old French

Adjective

pensive f

  1. nominative/oblique feminine singular of pensif
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