DOLEFUL, adjective [dole and full.] 1. Sorrowful; expressing grief; as a doleful whine; a doleful cry. 2. Melancholy; sad; afflicted; as a doleful sire. 3. Dismal; impressing sorrow; gloomy; as doleful shades.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI