(definition) by Webster 1913 Wed Dec 22 1999 at 2:02:34

Plain"tive (?), a. [F. plaintif. See Plaintiff, n.]

1.

Repining; complaining; lamenting.

Dryden.

2.

Expressive of sorrow or melancholy; mournful; sad.

"The most plaintive ditty."

Landor.

-- Plain"tive*ly, adv. -- Plain"tive*ness, n.

 

© Webster 1913.

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