Pity

//ˈpɪ.ti// intj, noun, verb

Definitions

Intj
  1. 1
    Ellipsis of what a pity. abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
Noun
  1. 1
    A feeling of sympathy at the misfortune or suffering of someone or something. uncountable

    "I can't feel any pity towards the gang, who got injured while attempting to break into a flat."

  2. 2
    the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it wordnet
  3. 3
    Something regrettable. countable

    "It's a pity you're feeling unwell because there's a party on tonight."

  4. 4
    an unfortunate development wordnet
  5. 5
    Piety. Early, Modern, countable, obsolete, uncountable

    "Euen so on the other syde a mans harte is contrite, when it is cutte with compunction, mollified with pitie and deuotion, moued with prayers and exhortation, is affraide by threatninges, allured by kindnes, ashamed of dishonesty, geuing place to Gods inspiration, […]"

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To feel pity for (someone or something). transitive

    "You have got to pity the guy - he lost his wife, mother and job in the same month."

  2. 2
    share the suffering of wordnet
  3. 3
    To make (someone) feel pity; to provoke the sympathy or compassion of. regional, transitive

    "She lenger yet is like captiv'd to bee; / That even to thinke thereof it inly pitties mee."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English pitye, pitie, pittye, pitee, pite, from Anglo-Norman pité, pittee etc., from Old French pitet, pitié, from Latin pietās. See also the doublets pietà and piety.

Etymology 2

From Middle English pitye, pitie, pittye, pitee, pite, from Anglo-Norman pité, pittee etc., from Old French pitet, pitié, from Latin pietās. See also the doublets pietà and piety.

Etymology 3

From Middle English pitye, pitie, pittye, pitee, pite, from Anglo-Norman pité, pittee etc., from Old French pitet, pitié, from Latin pietās. See also the doublets pietà and piety.

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: pity