Wist'ful, a.

a. [From wist, pret. of wis, q. v.] 1. Full of thoughts; meditative; musing; pensive. [Rare.] That he who there at such an hour hath been, Will wistful linger on that hallowed spot. Byron. 2. Eagerly attentive; engrossed; hence, sometimes, with desire or longing; wishful. Lifting up one of my sashes, I cast many a wistful, melancholy look toward the sea. Swift. 3. Eager to know; inquisitive; curious. [Rare.] This commanding creature . . . put on such an air of resignation, . . . and then recovered herself from one eye to another, till she was perfectly confused by meeting something so wistful in all she encountered. Addison.