Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Sentimental?

\Sen`ti*men"tal\, a. [Cf. F. sentimental.] 1. Having, expressing, or containing a sentiment or sentiments; abounding with moral reflections; containing a moral reflection; didactic. [Obsoles.] Nay, ev'n each moral sentimental stroke, Where not the character, but poet, spoke, He lopped, as foreign to his chaste design, Nor spared a useless, though a golden line. --Whitehead. 2. Inclined to sentiment; having an excess of sentiment or sensibility; indulging the sensibilities for their own sake; artificially or affectedly tender; -- often in a reproachful sense. A sentimental mind is rather prone to overwrought feeling and exaggerated tenderness. --Whately. 3. Addressed or pleasing to the emotions only, usually to the weaker and the unregulated emotions. Syn: Romantic. Usage: {Sentimental}, {Romantic}. Sentimental usually describes an error or excess of the sensibilities; romantic, a vice of the imagination. The votary of the former gives indulgence to his sensibilities for the mere luxury of their excitement; the votary of the latter allows his imagination to rove for the pleasure of creating scenes of ideal enjoiment. ``Perhaps there is no less danger in works called sentimental. They attack the heart more successfully, because more cautiously.'' --V. Knox. ``I can not but look on an indifferency of mind, as to the good or evil things of this life, as a mere romantic fancy of such who would be thought to be much wiser than they ever were, or could be.'' --Bp. Stillingfleet.