take pity on

Variant of pity

pity definition

pity (pit′ē)

noun pl. pities pit′·ies

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

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

transitive verb, intransitive verb pitied pit′·ied, pitying pit′y·ing

to feel pity (for)

Etymology: < pitythe or < MFr pitier < OFr piter

Related Forms:

pity Idioms

have pity on

or take pity on
to show pity or compassion for

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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