pity
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1pity
noun \ˈpi-tē\ plural pit·ies
Definition of PITY
1
a : sympathetic sorrow for one suffering, distressed, or unhappy b : capacity to feel pity
2
: something to be regretted <it's a pity you can't go>
See Examples of PITY
- She has had a hard life and deserves your pity.
- I felt deep pity for the lost dog.
- He didn't live to see his daughter grow up, and that's a pity.
Origin of PITY
Middle English pite, from Anglo-French pité, from Latin pietat-, pietas piety, pity, from pius pious
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to PITY
Synonym Discussion of PITY
pity, compassion, commiseration, condolence, sympathy mean the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another. pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress <felt pity for the captives>. compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare <treats the homeless with great compassion>. commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort <murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters>. condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss <expressed their condolences to the widow>. sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort <went to my best friend for sympathy> <in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents>.
2pity
verbpit·iedpity·ing
Definition of PITY
transitive verb
: to feel pity for
intransitive verb
: to feel pity
Examples of PITY
- I pity anyone who has to work at that place.
- <I always pity the people who have to work in this freezing weather.>
First Known Use of PITY
15th century
Related to PITY
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