maudlin

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | 357 words | Copyright

maudlin † weeping, tearful; weakly sentimental XVII; but the earliest recorded use is as adv. in maudlin († maudlayne, † mawdlen) drunk XVI. attrib. use of Maudlin, ME. Maudele(y)n (XIV) — (O)F. Madelaine — ecclL. Magdalēna MAGDALEN. The reference to tears comes from pictures in which the Magdalen is shown weeping.

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T. F. HOAD. "maudlin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "maudlin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-maudlin.html

T. F. HOAD. "maudlin." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-maudlin.html

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