Maudlin

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈmɔːd.lɪn/
• US IPA: /ˈmÉ‘d.lɪn/, /ˈmÉ”d.lɪn/

Origin

Middle English form of Mary Magdalene (typically depicted weeping), ultimately from Late Latin Magdalena.

Full definition of maudlin

Noun

1. (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 worÅ¿chipden hir Å¿ouereynly
  as worthy was
  but Å¿pecially Mawdelayne
  that wolde neuere departe fro hir.
2. (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.
3. (obsolete) A Magdalene house; a brothel. 17th c.

Adjective

1. Affectionate or sentimental in an effusive, tearful, or foolish manner, especially because of drunkenness. from 17th c.
• around 1900, O. Henry, He was a drunkard, and had not known it. What he had fondly imagined was a pleasant exhilaration had been maudlin intoxication.
2. Extravagantly or excessively sentimental; mawkish, self-pitying. from 17th c.
• 1961, C. S. Lewis, ''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.
3. (obsolete) Tearful, lachrymose. 17th-19th c.

Anagrams

• indlamu