fleō

1. Lacrimare (from δάκρυ) denotes the physical consequence of a certain emotion of the mind, whether joyful or sorrowful, like δακρύειν, to shed tears; whereas plorare (from pluere) denotes a passionate expression of grief, like θρηνεῖν, to wail and cry. Between the two stands flere (φλέω) in opp. to ridere, partaking of the passionless feeling denoted by lacrimare, and of the feeling of grief denoted by plorare, like κλαίειν, to weep. Sen. Ep. 63. Nec sicci sint oculi amisso amico, nec fluant; lacrimandum est, non plorandum. 2. Lamentari and ejulare denote a higher degree of ploratus; but lamentatio (from κλαῦμα?) is, like κωκύειν, a longer continued wailing; ejulare (from εἶα) a wailing interrupted by cries and sobs, like ὀλολύζειν. 3. Plorare and flere are intransitive verbs, as to weep; deplorare and deflere transitive, as to deplore.