Morosities

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A state of being sullen or gloomy, often reflecting a disposition characterized by sadness or melancholy
2. The quality of displaying an attitude of melancholy or a tendency to dwell on negative emotions
3. A habit of expressing or experiencing gloominess, leading to a pervasive sense of sadness or despair

Etymology: "Morosities" is the plural of "morosity," a state of sullenness or gloom, here used for separate instances of it. The noun comes from Latin "morositas," formed from "morosus," meaning self-willed, peevish, or hard to please. That adjective grew from "mos," a Latin word for custom, manner, or will, so the original sense was closer to stubbornness of temper than to sadness. The same root lies behind "moral." Latin writers used "moralis" to render Greek ideas about character and conduct, so both words trace back to the notion of how a person habitually behaves.

Synonyms: sullenness, gloominess

Antonyms: cheerfulness, brightness