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definitions

repine

[ri-pahyn]
See more synonyms for repine on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object), re·pined, re·pin·ing.
  1. to be fretfully discontented; fret; complain.

Origin of repine

First recorded in 1520–30; re- + pine2
Related formsre·pin·er, nounun·re·pined, adjectiveun·re·pin·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for repining

moan, grumble, regret, lament, wish, whimper, yearn, mourn, murmur, mope, languish, fret, n

Examples from the Web for repining

Historical Examples of repining

  • And anyhow, repining is only a counterfeit repentance, you know.

    The Cavalier

    George Washington Cable

  • The most part of them concluded that he was repining for the loss of his former state.

    The Scapegoat

    Hall Caine

  • If I were given to dreaming or repining I should say Fate was dead against me.

  • Will not our pride of good blood teach us other lessons than repining?

  • "Repining is useless, if not sinful," observed Mary Percival.

    The Settlers in Canada

    Frederick Marryat

British Dictionary definitions for repining

repine

verb
  1. (intr) to be fretful or low-spirited through discontent

Word Origin for repine

C16: from re- + pine ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for repining

repine

v.

"to be fretfully discontented," mid-15c., probably from re-, here likely an intensive prefix, + pine (v.) "yearn." Related: Repined; repining.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper