Word of the day: WOEBEGONE

Pronunciation: woe·be·gone UK /ˈwəʊ.bɪ.ɡɒn/ US /ˈwoʊ.bɪ.ɡɑːn/

Meaning

'Woebegone' describes someone or something that looks sad, miserable, or pitiful, often with an appearance that shows emotional or physical exhaustion.

Origin and History

The word "woebegone" originates from Middle English as the phrase "wo begon", meaning "woe has beset" or "surrounded by woe", combining Old English wā (woe) and "begān" (to surround/beset), so someone "woebegone" is literally overwhelmed with sadness, not happy.

In early English texts, the phrase ‘woebegone’ appeared to describe someone deeply afflicted by grief or hardship. Over time, it fused into the single descriptive word we know today.

Cultural significance and modern usage

Classic English Literature: Th

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