late 14c., "lamenting," from Old French plaintif "complaining; wretched, miserable," from plainte (see plaint). Sense of "mournful, sad" first recorded 1570s. Related: Plaintively; plaintiveness.
中文解释
1、-plaint- + -ive.2、=> lamenting, mournful, sad.
实用例句
1. Somewhere in the audience an old woman's voice began plaintive wail.
观众席里,一位老太太伤心地哭起来.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. Suddenly a camel let out a plaintive ay, not far away.
骆驼忽然哀叫了两声, 离他不远.
来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
3. They lay on the firm sands, listening to the plaintive cry of the seagulls.
他们躺在硬实的沙地上，听着海鸥的哀鸣。
来自辞典例句
4. Her voice was small and plaintive.
她的声音微弱而哀伤。
来自辞典例句
5. Uncle Peter's voice came as from a far distance , plaintive, placating.