pathetic Hear it!

pathetic definition

pa·thetic (pə t̸hetik)

adjective

  1. expressing, arousing, or intended to arouse pity, sorrow, sympathy, or compassion; pitiful
  2. pitifully unsuccessful, ineffective, etc. a pathetic performance
  3. of the emotions

Etymology: LL patheticus < Gr pathētikos, akin to pathos, suffering, pathos

Also pathetical pa·thet′i·cal

Related Forms:

Comments


Do you have more to add? Sign in to share your linguistic knowledge or observation.

Connect with Facebook