yearnful en · ADJ
Etymology
From Middle English yernful, ȝeornful, from Old English ġearnfull, ġeornful (“desirous, eager, zealous, diligent, anxious”), equivalent to yearn + -ful.
Meanings
-
Filled with yearning; desirous; mournful; distressing.
I am yearnful to know who was the unhappy person the wicked general threatened.
1919, Albert Payson Terhune, “The Strike”, in O Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1919:So now lend me thy yearnful tunes to utter my sorrow.
1570, Richard Edwards, “Damon and Pithias”, in A select collection of old English plays, Volume 4, page 43:Ah! they were grand days, those deep, full days, when our coming life, like an unseen organ, pealed strange, yearnful music in our ears, and our young blood cried out like a war-horse for the battle.
1886, Jerome K. Jerome, Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more yearnful | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most yearnful | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |