Sen`ti*men"tal (?), a.
[Cf. F. sentimental.]
1. Having, expressing, or containing
a sentiment or sentiments; abounding with moral reflections; containing a moral reflection; didactic. [Obsoles.]
Nay, ev'n each
moral sentimental stroke,
Where not the character, but poet, spoke,
He lopped, as foreign to his chaste design,
Nor spared a useless, though a golden line.
Whitehead. 2. Inclined to sentiment; having an excess of
sentiment or sensibility; indulging the
sensibilities for their own sake; artificially or affectedly tender; -- often in a reproachful sense.
A
sentimental mind
is rather prone to overwrought feeling and exaggerated tenderness.
Whately.
3. Addressed or pleasing to the emotions only, usually to the weaker and the unregulated
emotions.
Syn. -- Romantic. -- Sentimental, Romantic. Sentimental usually describes an error or excess of the
sensibilities; romantic, a vice of the imagination. The votary of
the former gives indulgence to his sensibilities for the mere
luxury of their excitement; the votary of
the latter allows his imagination to rove for the pleasure of creating scenes of ideal enjoiment. "Perhaps there is no less danger in works called sentimental. They attack the heart more successfully, because more cautiously." V. Knox.
"I can not but look on an indifferency of mind, as to the good or evil things of this life,
as a mere
romantic fancy of such who would be thought to be
much wiser than they ever were, or could be." Bp.
Stillingfleet.
Hear it pronounced