See Also: Sullen(medicine)
sullen(1)(dictionary)
sullen(2)(dictionary)
sullen(dictionary)

sullen(1) (iou)



sullen adjective, noun, & adverb. LME.
[Anglo-Norman sulein, solain, -ein, from sol = Old French soule SOLE adjective & adverb.]
A. adjective.
1. Single, sole. LME-L15.
b. Strange, unusual; unique. LME-L15.
2. Solitary, alone; spent or done in solitude; done in secret. LME-M16.
3. Averse to company, disinclined to be sociable; characterized by gloomy ill humour; morose, resentful; (of actions, attributes, etc.) indicative of such a mood. LME.
J. Wainwright In the car..there had been long, almost sullen silences.
b. transf. Of animals and inanimate things: refractory, stubborn. L16.
c. fig. Baleful, malignant. L17-E18.
4. Solemn, serious. L16-E18.
5. Of immaterial things: dismal, melancholy; poet. of a deep, dull, or mournful tone. L16.
C. Kingsley An afternoon of sullen Autumn rain.
6. Of a dull colour; of gloomy or dismal aspect. L16.
Tolkien The fire faded to sullen embers.
7. Of water etc.: flowing sluggishly. poet. E17.
B. noun.
1. A solitary person; a sullen person. Only in LME.
2. In pl. & (rare) sing. A state of gloomy ill humour; sullenness, sulks; depression. Chiefly in the sullens. arch. L16.
C. adverb. Sullenly. rare. E18.
sullenly adverb L16.
sullenness [-n-n-] noun LME.