morfondre

to mope, to fret

verb mor-FOHN-druh Rare

Also means

to languish, to pine

Usage Note

Se morfondre (used reflexively) means to wait anxiously or to languish in boredom and worry — se morfondre dans l'attente ('to be consumed by waiting'). The non-reflexive form is rare. The image behind the word links to being 'frozen stiff' with cold or misery. It is slightly literary but understood by all French speakers.

Examples

"Elle se morfondait en attendant ses résultats."

Natural Translation

She was fretting while waiting for her results.

Literal Translation

She herself-was-fretting in waiting her results.

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