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Is Pensieve a pun?

Science Fiction & Fantasy Asked on September 27, 2021

I’m sure that there’s a word in the English language that’s close to "pensieve" that means something like "contemplative" or "in deep thought". Do we know anything about the origin of the term? I feel like I’m missing a pun.

One Answer

Yes, according to JKR it's intended as a pun.

The name ‘Pensieve’ is a homonym of ‘pensive’, meaning deeply, seriously thoughtful; but it also a pun, the ‘sieve’ part of the word alluding to the object’s function of sorting meanings from a mass of thoughts or memories.

Pensieve By J.K. Rowling - Pottermore

Correct answer by Valorum on September 27, 2021

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