plangent

[ plan-juhnt ]

adjective

1. resounding loudly, especially with a plaintive sound, as a bell.

plangent

/ ˈplændʒənt /

adjective

1. having a loud deep sound
2. resonant and mournful in sound

Derived Forms

• ˈplangency, noun
• ˈplangently, adverb

Other Words From

• plangen·cy noun
• plangent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of plangent¹

1815–25; < Latin plangent- (stem of plangēns ), present participle of plangere to beat, lament. See plain ², -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of plangent¹

C19: from Latin plangere to beat (esp the breast, in grief); see plain ²

Example Sentences

In an era of plangent indie rock, they were the studied, intricate eccentrics.

From New York Times

Adjuah sings in a keening, plangent tone, but at one point he pauses to offer a spoken invitation: “Listen to the wind,” he says.

From New York Times

A clear highlight was “Amelia,” a plangent, airy meditation on freedom and flight.

From New York Times

She shushed her daughters, sloshing in nearby mud, so she could tease out the source of some plangent rumble.

From New York Times

In the three decades since his diagnosis, he has released about 100 records — gentle suites of forlorn melodies, relentless spans of plangent notes, and, most recently, sprawling drifts of ghostly tones.

From New York Times