Dictionary

impiteous en · ADJ

Etymology

From im- + piteous.

Meanings

1. (obsolete) Not showing pity or mercy.
   • Through full three thousand years the world reveres Blind Love that bears the quiver and hath wings: Now too he’s deaf, and to the sufferings Of folk in anguish turns impiteous ears. 1878, Tommaso Campanella, “Sonnet XXIII. The Modern Cupid”, in John Addington Symonds, transl., The Sonnets of Michael Angelo Buonarroti and Tommaso Campanella, London: Smith, Elder, page 141:
   • […] cruell Ualerian Uoide of all fauoure, most impiteous Of Emperoures all, none more vngracious Against Christes faithe, 1547, Arthur Kelton, A Chronycle with a Genealogie Declaryng That the Brittons and Welshemen are Linealiye Dyscended from Brute, London: Richard Grafton:
   • The Ocean (ouer-peering of his List) Eates not the Flats with more impittious haste Then young Laertes, in a Riotous head, Ore-beares your Officers, c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:

Forms

Synonyms

pitiless · cruel