sentimentally
UK[ˌsen.tɪˈmen.təl.i]US[ˌsen.təˈmen.t̬əl.i]
adv
in a way that is influenced by or expresses tender, nostalgic, or emotional feelings rather than by reason or practicality.
adv
in a manner characterized by excessive or self-indulgent emotion.
Morpheme Breakdown
sentiment
al
ly
sentiment
feeling
al
adjective suffix
ly
adverb suffix
Etymology
the word "sentimentally" is built upon the latin verb sentire, meaning "to feel" or "to perceive," which is itself traced to the proto-indo-european root sent- meaning "to head for, go." this journey from a physical sense of direction to an internal sense of perception is a classic semantic shift. the noun "sentiment" emerged in late latin as sentimentum, denoting a feeling or opinion. in english, the adjective-forming suffix "-al" was added to create "sentimental," describing something pertaining to or characterized by refined feeling, a sense which later acquired connotations of excessive emotion. finally, the native english adverbial suffix "-ly" completes the word, specifying the manner of action. thus, the modern adverb encapsulates a layered history, moving from a physical root to an abstract emotional quality.
Analysis
Structure: sentiment (feeling) + al (adjective suffix) + ly (adverb suffix)
- sentiment: from latin sentimentum (feeling, opinion), from sentire (to feel). serves as the core noun root.
- al: a latin-derived suffix forming adjectives meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by."
- ly: an old english-derived suffix forming adverbs from adjectives, meaning "in a specified manner."
Examples
she held onto her grandmother's ring sentimentally, not for its value but for its memories.
the film concludes somewhat sentimentally, with a tearful reunion set to sweeping music.
he argued against deciding the matter sentimentally and urged for a more logical approach.