A listless melancholy attitude

Question

listlesscharacterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit  *a listless melancholy attitude*[M-W's Col. Dic.]Both "listless" and "melancholy" are adjectives modifying "attitude". Both adjective mean the same to larger extent, so isn't it an instance of redundancy to use them side by side? Please guide me. Thanks.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I would challenge their being the same "to larger extent."
(You haven't included M-W on "Melancholy.")

Jackson6612 · Answer

Jackson6612listlesscharacterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit a listless melancholy attitude[M-W's Col. Dic.]Both "listless" and "melancholy" are adjectives modifying "attitude". Both adjective mean the same to larger extent, so isn't it an instance of redundancy to use them side by side? Please guide me. Thanks.

Hi Avangi

melancholy (adj)
2 a : depressed in spirits : DEJECTED, SAD b : PENSIVE
[M-W's Col. Dic.]

Avangi · Answer

Okay. There may be a difference in interpretation between "lack of spirit" and "depressed in spirits."

"Depression" of course carries another connotation, as in "clinical depression."

"Depressed" carries what Dimsumexpress would call "a passive implication." Something is depressing you.

"The X-effect is depressed/suppressed." "There is a lack of the X-effect." Do you agree there's a difference?

Then, on top of that, you must add "dejected; sad."
These are definitely "moods," as opposed to "the lack of moods."

"Listless" does not necessarily include these elements.
Therefore, the author is well justified in reinforcing their presence.

Lack of interest and energy isn't included in the "melancholy" definition, although it may apply in certain cases.
Still, I think they're separate issues.

Depression, may well be characterized by lethargy, but it's often not.
I would agree that the word seems to apply that it is.

Depression and melancholy seem to go together to a greater extent than melancholy and listlessness.

Rgdz, - A.

A listless melancholy attitude

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