n. [ OE. melancolie, F. mélancolie, L. melancholia, fr. Gr. &unr_;; me`las, me`lanos, black + &unr_; gall, bile. See Malice, and 1st Gall. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
1. Depression of spirits; a gloomy state continuing a considerable time; deep dejection; gloominess. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Great and continued depression of spirits, amounting to mental unsoundness; melancholia. [ 1913 Webster ]
(adj) characterized by or causing or expressing sadness, Syn. melancholic, Example:growing more melancholy every hour; her melancholic smile; we acquainted him with the melancholy truth
(n) perennial stoloniferous thistle of northern Europe with lanceolate basal leaves and usually solitary heads of reddish-purple flowers, Syn. Cirsium helenioides, Cirsium heterophylum