What is the meaning of the word melancholy, as it is used above?

The meaning of the word melancholy is sadness.

Melancholy is a word derived from latin that in turn comes etymologically from greek and that means "black bile". It´s above the vague, permanent and profound sadness that can be caused by physical or mental causes that makes people not enjoy the everyday things they do with the passing of days.

Currently it´s seen as a disease, which can be treated through certain drugs and also by the hand of therapy.

d.) then bernice winced as marjorie tossed her own hair over her shoulders and began to twist it slowly into two long blond braids until in her cream-colored negligée she looked like a delicate painting of some saxon princess. fascinated, bernice watched the braids grow. heavy and luxurious they were, moving under the supple fingers like restive snakes—and to bernice remained this relic and the curling iron and a to-morrow full of eyes.

dependent clause!

example: "before the food gets cold"