/ ˈmelənkəli; -kɒli; NAmE -kɑːli/ noun , adjective
■ noun
[ U ] ( formal ) a deep feeling of sadness that lasts for a long time and often cannot be explained :
A mood of melancholy descended on us.
■ adjective
very sad or making you feel sadness
SYN mournful , sombre :
melancholy thoughts / memories
The melancholy song died away.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French melancolie , via late Latin from Greek melankholia , from melas , melan- black + kholē bile, an excess of which was formerly believed to cause depression.