maudlin

Meanings

Noun

• The Magdalene; Mary Magdalene.
• Either of two aromatic plants, costmary or sweet yarrow.
• A Magdalene house; a brothel.

Adjective

• Affectionate or sentimental in an effusive, tearful, or foolish manner, especially because of drunkenness.
• Extravagantly or excessively sentimental; mawkish, self-pitying.
• Tearful, lachrymose.

Origin

• From Middle English Maudelen, a dialectal form of Mary Magdalene (typically depicted weeping), from Old French Madelaine, from Late Latin Magdalena.