Main Entry:

wist·ful

Pronunciation:

\ˈwist-fəl\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

blend of wishful and obsolete English wistly intently

Date:

1714

1: full of yearning or desire tinged with melancholy ; also : inspiring such yearning <a wistful memoir>2: musingly sad : pensive <a wistful glance>

— wist·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— wist·ful·ness noun