whistful

English

Etymology

From whist +‎ -ful.

Adjective

whistful (comparative more whistful, superlative most whistful)

1. Alternative form of wistful
   • 1750, Thomas Gray, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard:

     Him have we seen the Green-wood Side along, While o'er the Heath we hied, our Labours done, Oft as the Woodlark piped her farewell Song With whistful Eyes pursue the setting Sun.

   • 1973 March, Jack Donnelly, “Terminal Case”, in Cincinnati Magazine, volume 6, number 6, page 26:

     Graceful arcs of the Terminal reflect Art Deco patterns of '30s a whistful reminder today of better times for a "happy station".

   • 2009, Karen Mason, Winner Takes It All, →ISBN, page 28:

     Alex sat surrounded by mainly Tim's fellow academics who were swaying to the whistful music, pursing their lips and nodding appreciatively, feeling somehow worthy because they were listening to songs with 'proper' lyrics.

   • 2013, Joan Westerman, Little Sister, →ISBN, page 155:

     They have a large black piano in the loungeroom. Beckman. New York. Sometimes when May is playing Jess hears happy tunes emerging from the room. But often they are sad and whistful.

   • 2014, Fabia Brown, Dew on a Spiders Web, →ISBN:

     within me, olde curiosity-shop of ideas, that needs decluttering, whistful dancing round some linden trees near a green, while maypole dance is in full swing

   • 2015, Stevie Vogel, Adventure Across The World, →ISBN:

     “No need to sound 'whistful' we might rummage up four for bridge or at least I'll try you at a hand of Gin Rummy until they find some blue ruin th'sa a fit ration,” he rumbled.