\Sen`ti*men"tal\, a. [Cf. F. sentimental.]
1. Having, expressing, or containing a sentiment or
   sentiments; abounding with moral reflections; containing a
   moral reflection; didactic. [Obsoles.]
         Nay, ev'n each moral sentimental stroke, Where not
         the character, but poet, spoke, He lopped, as
         foreign to his chaste design, Nor spared a useless,
         though a golden line.                 --Whitehead.
2. Inclined to sentiment; having an excess of sentiment or
   sensibility; indulging the sensibilities for their own
   sake; artificially or affectedly tender; -- often in a
   reproachful sense.
         A sentimental mind is rather prone to overwrought
         feeling and exaggerated tenderness.   --Whately.
3. Addressed or pleasing to the emotions only, usually to the
   weaker and the unregulated emotions.
Syn: Romantic.
Usage: {Sentimental}, {Romantic}. Sentimental usually
       describes an error or excess of the sensibilities;
       romantic, a vice of the imagination. The votary of the
       former gives indulgence to his sensibilities for the
       mere luxury of their excitement; the votary of the
       latter allows his imagination to rove for the pleasure
       of creating scenes of ideal enjoiment. ``Perhaps there
       is no less danger in works called sentimental. They
       attack the heart more successfully, because more
       cautiously.'' --V. Knox. ``I can not but look on an
       indifferency of mind, as to the good or evil things of
       this life, as a mere romantic fancy of such who would
       be thought to be much wiser than they ever were, or
       could be.'' --Bp. Stillingfleet.