pitiable, a.
(ˈpɪtɪəb(ə)l)
Forms: 5 pytoyable, 5–6 piteable, 6 pitoyable, pittiable, 7 pytyable, 7–8 pityable, 6– pitiable.
[ME. a. OF. piteable (13th c.), pitiable, pitoiable (mod.F. pitoyable) pitiable (in active and passive sense), f. OF. piteer, pitier, pitoyer to pity: see -able.]
1. Deserving, worthy of, or standing in need of pity; exciting pity; lamentable: = pitiful 3.
| 1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 299 To ay justice with merci melle, efter as he seis caus piteable. c 1489 Caxton Blanchardyn xxx. 114 Thees pytoyable thynges thus y-happed. 1586 in Tytler Hist. Scot. (1864) IV. 142 The auditory did find her case not pitoyable, and her allegations untrue. 1681–6 J. Scott Chr. Life (1747) III. 217 Out of great Condescension to this pitiable Infirmity of his sinful Creatures [etc.]. 1688 Vox Cleri Pro Rege 22 The Case is truly pityable. 1855 Milman Lat. Chr. ix. iv. (1864) V. 243 The champion of injured and pitiable women. 1879 M. E. Braddon Clov. Foot I. i. 32, I..found him in a pitiable condition. |
2. Contemptible, miserable: = pitiful 4.
| 1789 Mrs. Piozzi Journ. France II. 353 For this pitiable exhibition, ships cut in paper, and saints carved in wood, we paid half a guinea each. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. iv. I. 511 That great party..had now dwindled to a pitiable minority. 1891 Speaker 11 July 36/1 The pitiable display of short-sighted greed over the Factory Bill. |
† 3. Characterized by pity: = pitiful 2. Obs.
| 1503 Kalender of Shepherds li, Sweyt & pyteabyl as the beyr,..dyspytful & prydful as the fasant. |
Hence ˈpitiableness, pitiable quality or condition; ˈpitiably adv., in a pitiable manner.
| 1694 Kettlewell Comp. Penitent 43 Remembring..the Pytyableness of my Weakness. 1825 J. Neal Bro. Jonathan II. 166 A line of scripture..pitiably misunderstood. 1866 Geo. Eliot F. Holt xliii, We are so pitiably in subjection to all sorts of vanity. 1894 Mrs. H. Ward Marcella I. 41 For all its weakness and pitiableness. |