Shed a tear for this adjective. “Lachrymose” comes from the Latin word for “tear,” “lacrima.” You can use it to describe anything that causes tears, or for someone who is just plain weepy. “Lachrymose” also has a scientific cousin, “lacrimal.” While “lachrymose” applies to tears of the emotional variety, “lacrimal” is used in the medical sense — the lacrimal glands produce tears.