pity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A sad and unfortunate thing; something to be regretted.

   It's a pity you can't come to the party tonight.

2. 2
   noun

   A feeling of sadness and sympathy for someone who is suffering.

   I felt great pity for the families who lost their homes.

3. 3
   verb

   To feel sorry for someone because of their suffering or bad luck.

   You have to pity him; he lost his job and his home in the same month.

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.

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