Main Entry:

rue·ful

Pronunciation:

\ˈrü-fəl\

Function:

adjective

Date:

13th century

1 : exciting pity or sympathy : pitiable <rueful squalid poverty…by every wayside — John Morley> 2 : mournful, regretful <troubled her with a rueful disquiet — W. M. Thackeray>

— rue·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— rue·ful·ness noun