pity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an unfortunate development

   It was a pity they couldn't make it to the party.

2. 2
   noun

   a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others

   the blind are too often objects of pity

3. 3
   noun

   A feeling of sympathy at the misfortune or suffering of someone or something.

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

4. 4
   noun

   Something regrettable.

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

5. 5
   noun

   Piety.

   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, […]

6. 6
   verb

   To feel pity for (someone or something).

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

7. 7
   verb

   To make (someone) feel pity; to provoke the sympathy or compassion of.

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

8. 8
   noun

   the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it

Etymology

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.