maudlin

noun

1. (obsolete)The Magdalene; Mary Magdalene.

   “for alle they worſchipden hir ſouereynly / as worthy was / but ſpecially Mawdelayne / that wolde neuere departe fro hir.”

2. (historical)Either of two aromatic plants, costmary or sweet yarrow.

   “Common Maudlin have somewhat long and narrow leaves, snipped about the edges.”

3. (obsolete)A Magdalene house; a brothel.

adj

1. Affectionate or sentimental in an effusive, tearful, or foolish manner, especially because of drunkenness.

   “Why, man, you couldn't stand—you made everybody laugh in the Gardens, though you were crying yourself. You were maudlin, Jos. Don't you remember singing a song?”

   “With the help of a sleepy waiter, Little Billee got the bacchanalian into his room and lit his candle for him, and, disengaging himself from his maudlin embraces, left him to wallow in solitude.”

   “He was a drunkard, and had not known it. What he had fondly imagined was a pleasant exhilaration had been maudlin intoxication.”

   “...you are my devoted friend too. You do more and work harder and oh shit I'd get maudlin about how damned swell you are. My god I'd like to see you... You're a hell of a good guy.”

2. Extravagantly or excessively sentimental; mawkish, self-pitying.

   “To cap it all I had written a letter to Mara saying that we had to find a way out soon or I would commit suicide. It must have been a maudlin letter because when she telephoned me she said it was imperative to see me immediately.”

   “On the rebound one passes into tears and pathos. Maudlin tears. I almost prefer the moments of agony. These are at least clean and honest. But the bath of self-pity, the wallow, the loathsome sticky-sweet pleasure of indulging it — that disgusts me.”

3. (obsolete)Tearful, lachrymose.