Nota: A tradução desta entrada está atualmente em revisão de qualidade, portanto parte do conteúdo é exibida temporariamente apenas em inglês.
Este verbete ainda não foi traduzido para o seu idioma, portanto o original é exibido abaixo.
plaintive
This term describes a specific quality of sadness that is designed to evoke sympathy or pity from the listener or observer. It is frequently associated with high-pitched or lingering sounds, such as the wail of a siren or the cry of an animal, creating an atmosphere of longing or desperation.
While similar to mournful, this word carries a stronger connotation of pleading. It suggests a desire for comfort or rescue, making it a common descriptor for the expressions of children, pets, or those in a state of vulnerability.
Meanings
Examples
The dog let out a plaintive howl when its owner left the house.
Why are you looking at me with such a plaintive expression?
Why are you looking at me with such a plaintive expression?
A plaintive melody drifted through the empty halls of the castle.
She spoke in a plaintive tone, hoping he would forgive her mistake.
The wind made a plaintive whistling sound as it blew through the ruins.
I can still hear the plaintive cries of the gulls over the shoreline.
He gave a plaintive sigh and stared out the window at the rain.
The kitten made a plaintive meow until someone finally picked it up.