Weltschmerz definition

vĕltshmĕrts
Sadness over the evils of the world, especially as an expression of romantic pessimism.
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Sentimental pessimism or melancholy over the state of the world.
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(sometimes capitalized) World-weariness; an apathetic or pessimistic view of life; depression concerning or discomfort with the human condition or state of the world.
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Origin of weltschmerz

  • German Welt world Weltanschauung Schmerz pain (from Middle High German smërze) (from Old High German smerzo)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Loanword from German Weltschmerz, literally Welt (“world") + Schmerz (“ache, pain").

    From Wiktionary