Definition of the word lachrymose

The word "lachrymose" derives from the Latin word "lacrimōsus" meaning "bursting forth with tears." The Latin root "lacrimōsus" itself is made up of "lacrima," meaning "tear," and the suffix "-ōsus," which can mean "bearing" or "producing." Over time, the Latin word evolved into the Middle English "lakrimous," which is the direct ancestor of the English word "lachrymose." As an adjective, "lachrymose" describes something that evokes tears, as in "a lachrymose novel" or "tear-jerking stories." It is a less commonly used synonym for "tearful" or "tear-inducing." The word is derived from a related Latin word, "lacrima," which means "tear." The term "lachrymose" has an old-fashioned and literary quality, suggesting a Victorian era novel or a melodramatic stage play. It tends to be used in more formal or poetic contexts rather than everyday language, but its latinate origins make it a fascinating example of the English language's heritage from Latin and the Middle Ages.