'melancholy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'melankholia,' where 'melan-' meant 'black' and 'kholē' meant 'bile.'

'melankholia' transformed into the Latin word 'melancholia,' and eventually became the modern English word 'melancholy' through Old French.

Initially, it referred to a condition caused by an excess of black bile, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'deep sadness or gloom.'