So I've been wondering, what does it mean to miss someone?
Some I've spoken to have suggested simply the absence of something you're used to is not present. Someone else suggested along the lines of a physical, emotional or spiritual need that you've allowed yourself to be filled elsewhere, that is no longer. And I've heard it described as generally unfulfilled need.
If you were to describe what it is to miss something or someone, how does that really sound out to you?
I'd love to hear your analytical thoughts on the anatomy of missing.
Thanks for your brain juices!
miss1
mis/Submit
verb
verb: miss; 3rd person present: misses; past tense: missed; past participle: missed; gerund or present participle: missing
1.fail to hit, reach, or come into contact with (something aimed at).
"a laser-guided bomb had missed its target"
pass by without touching; chance not to hit.
"a piece of shrapnel missed him by inches"
synonyms: fail to hit, be/go wide of, fall short of
"the shot missed her by inches"
antonyms: hit
fail to catch (something thrown or dropped).
synonyms: fail to catch, drop, fumble, bobble, fluff, flub, mishandle, screw up
"Mandy missed the ball"
antonyms: catch
be too late to catch (a passenger vehicle, etc.).
"we'll miss the train if he doesn't hurry"
synonyms: be too late for, fail to catch/get
"I've missed my bus"
antonyms: catch
fail to notice, hear, or understand.
"the villa is impossible to miss—it's right by the road"
synonyms: fail to hear, mishear More
antonyms: see, notice
fail to attend, participate in, or watch (something one is expected to do or habitually does).
"teachers were supposed to report those students who missed class that day"
synonyms: fail to attend, be absent from, play truant from, cut, skip
"she never missed a class"
antonyms: attend
fail to see or have a meeting with (someone).
"“Potter's been here this morning?” “You've just missed him.”"
not be able to experience or fail to take advantage of (an opportunity or chance).
"don't miss the chance to visit the breathtaking Dolomites"
synonyms: let slip, fail to take advantage of, let go, let pass, pass up
"don't miss this exciting opportunity!"
avoid; escape.
"smart Christmas shoppers go out early to miss the crowds"
synonyms: avoid, beat, evade, escape, dodge, sidestep, elude, circumvent, steer clear of, find a way around, bypass
"I left early to miss rush hour"
fail to include (someone or something); omit.
"if we miss a few things in the first draft, we can add them later"
(of a woman) fail to have (a monthly period).
(of an engine or motor vehicle) undergo failure of ignition in one or more cylinders.
2.
notice the loss or absence of.
"he's rich—he won't miss the money"
feel regret or sadness at no longer being able to enjoy the presence of.
"she misses all her old friends"
synonyms: pine for, yearn for, ache for, long for, long to see
"she missed him when he was away"
feel regret or sadness at no longer being able to go to, do, or have.
"I still miss France and I wish I could go back"
noun
noun: miss; plural noun: misses
1.
a failure to hit, catch, or reach something.
"Elster's stunning catch in the third inning made up for his dreadful miss in the first"
synonyms: failure, omission, slip, blunder, error, mistake
"one hit and three misses"
a failure, especially an unsuccessful movie, television show, recording, etc.
"audiences will decide whether Brando's latest flick is a hit or a miss"
For the literal definition... now, my take on it:
Along the lines of what people have already said in context of longing... To miss something/someone is usually some sort of metal or emotional state of utility or even with negative feelings....something you've grown accustomed to, enjoy, or expect...and finding the absence of that thing of notable concern.
"I really miss Summer." ...might be said because the person prefers warm weather over cold, or sunshine over rain, or having a less busy schedule...etc.
I don't necessarily want to solely relate it to discontent, but it has to do with desire or familiarity. A certain way or thing or place you expect or want which is no longer the case, and that fact making you feel deficient, nostalgic, sad, or the like.
I suppose, in psychological terms, it's an acquired stimulus and response which you've either grown accustomed to, desire, or both, but are no longer able to fulfill, experience, or re-create.
So, you might miss someone who's dead or moved away... You might miss a feeling you used to get when doing something you once enjoyed, but no longer do (diminishing returns).... You might miss a way of thinking, acting, or living that you no longer find yourself in.
I realize this may have sounded a bit redundant, but is it at least vaguely understandable? Copacetic?
[video=youtube;quYV9nASs8Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quYV9nASs8Q[/video]
