pity

 
Pronunciation: /ˈpɪti/

noun (plural pities)

  • 1 [mass noun] the feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the sufferings and misfortunes of others: her voice was full of pity
  • 2 [in singular] a cause for regret or disappointment: it’s a pity you didn’t contact us first what a pity we can’t be friends

verb (pities, pitying, pitied)

[with object]
  • feel sorrow for the misfortunes of: I could see from their faces that they pitied me (as adjective pitying) he gave her a pitying look

Phrases

for pity's sake

informal used to express impatience or make an urgent appeal: for pity’s sake, get a move on!

more's the pity

informal used to express regret about a fact that has just been stated: you’re not the one who has to pay the bills, more’s the pity

take (or have) pity

show compassion: the old couple took pity on him and gave him food

Derivatives

pityingly

adverb

Origin:

Middle English (also in the sense 'clemency, mildness'): from Old French pite 'compassion', from Latin pietas 'piety'; compare with piety