[
US
/ˈpɫeɪˌnaɪvɫi, ˈpɫeɪnˌtaɪvɫi/
]
ADVERB
-
in a plaintive manner
the last note of the song rang out plaintively
How To Use plaintively In A Sentence
- A Scottish moor long bore the reputation for being haunted by a phantom flock of sheep, which were always heard "baaing" plaintively before a big storm. Animal Ghosts Or, Animal Hauntings and the Hereafter
- A fitful breeze stirred the pale foliage over her head, now and then showering her with pink petals from the lingering blossoms; from beneath her rose the damp sweet fragrance of soft earth and green grass, nearby a meadow-lark sang plaintively; somewhere a robin called arrogantly to his mate in the nest; from the valley, stretching below the sloping orchard, a violet mist lifted. Red-Robin
- The fasciated honey-eater has loudly called “with a voice that seemed the very sound of happiness”; the leaden flycatcher, often silent but seldom still, has twittered and whispered plaintively; the sun-birds are playing gymnastics among the lemon blossoms, and the centre of activity for butterflies is the red-flowered shrub bordering the wavering path. Tropic Days
- It stood near the window; its thick trunk, barkless, with a rotten heart, prevented the light from entering the room; the bent, black branches, devoid of leaves, stretched themselves mournfully and helplessly in the air, and shaking to and fro, they creaked softly, plaintively. The Man Who Was Afraid
- There are shots from the ground of men with blowtorches in surgical masks, while subtitles that plaintively ask, ‘Why are they making me?’
- They head out in the boat and Sancho starts crying after he hears his donkey braying plaintively.
- The cathedral is crowned by a large golden statue of Mary looking up, with her arms plaintively moving out from her body.
- Osmosis Part 1 is a wheeling, plaintively calling piece with restrained, squeezed-chord electronics from Frisell.
- On the steps I stood still and looked round: long storm-clouds were creeping heavily over the grey sky; a dark-brown bush was writhing in the wind, and murmuring plaintively; the yellow grass helplessly and forlornly bowed down to the earth; flocks of thrushes were fluttering in the mountain-ashes among the bright, flame-coloured clusters of berries. The Jew and other stories
- He telephoned Yorkshire Television to seek explanations and advice, demanding plaintively in a guttural accent.