maudlin
English
Etymology
Middle English form of Mary Magdalene (typically depicted weeping), ultimately from Late Latin Magdalena.
Pronunciation
Noun
maudlin (plural maudlins)
- (obsolete, Christianity) The Magdalene; Mary Magdalene. [14th-16th c.]
- c. 1400, Nicholas Love (trans.), The Mirror of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ:
- for alle they worſchipden hir ſouereynly / as worthy was / but ſpecially Mawdelayne / that wolde neuere departe fro hir.
- c. 1400, Nicholas Love (trans.), The Mirror of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ:
- (botany, now historical) Either of two aromatic plants, costmary or sweet yarrow. [from 15th c.]
- 1653, Nicholas Culpeper, The English Physician Enlarged, Folio Society 2007, p. 186:
- Common Maudlin have somewhat long and narrow leaves, snipped about the edges.
- 1653, Nicholas Culpeper, The English Physician Enlarged, Folio Society 2007, p. 186:
- (obsolete) A Magdalene house; a brothel. [17th c.]
Adjective
maudlin (comparative more maudlin, superlative most maudlin)
- Affectionate or sentimental in an effusive, tearful, or foolish manner, especially because of drunkenness. [from 17th c.]
- around 1900, O. Henry, The Rubaiyat of a Scotch Highball
- He was a drunkard, and had not known it. What he had fondly imagined was a pleasant exhilaration had been maudlin intoxication.
- around 1900, O. Henry, The Rubaiyat of a Scotch Highball
- Extravagantly or excessively sentimental; mawkish, self-pitying. [from 17th c.]
- 1961, CS Lewis, A Grief Observed
- On the rebound one passes into tears and pathos. Maudlin tears. I almost prefer the moments of agony. These are at least clean and honest. But the bath of self-pity, the wallow, the loathsome sticky-sweet pleasure of indulging it — that disgusts me.
- 1961, CS Lewis, A Grief Observed
- (obsolete) Tearful, lachrymose. [17th-19th c.]
Translations
extravagantly or excessively sentimental; self-pitying
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affectionate or sentimental in an effusive, tearful, or foolish manner
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