pitiful

Definition

So appalling or sad that one feels or should feel sorry for it; eliciting pity.

Etymology

From Middle English pityful, piteful, piteeful. By surface analysis, pit(i) + -ful.

Example Sentences

• "Scotland has a pitiful climate."
• "A pitiful number of students bothered to turn up."
• "Some ſay that Rauens foſter forlorne children, / The vvhilſt their ovvne birds famiſh in their neſts: / Oh be to me though thy hard hart ſay no, / Nothing ſo kinde but ſomething pittifull."

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