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pity

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Pity is a feeling of sorrow or sympathy for someone or something.

(noun)

An example of pity is what might be felt by someone toward a child after seeing the child's dog get hit by a car.

See pity in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. pities

sorrow felt for another's suffering or misfortune; compassion; sympathy
the ability to feel such compassion
a cause for sorrow or regret

Origin: ME pite < OFr pitet < L pietas: see piety

transitive verb, intransitive verb pitied, pitying

to feel pity (for)

Origin: < pitythe or < MFr pitier < OFr piter

Related Forms:

pityingly adverb

See pity in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. pit·ies

Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another.
A matter of regret: It's a pity she can't attend the reception.

verb pit·ied, pit·y·ing, pit·ies

verb, transitive

To feel pity for.

verb, intransitive

To feel pity.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English pite

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin pietās, piety, compassion

Origin: , from pius, dutiful

Related Forms:

pitˈy·ing·ly adverb

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