From Middle English pitye, pitie, pittye, pitee, pite, from Anglo-Norman pité, pittee etc., from Old French pitet, pitié, from Latin pietās. See also the doublets pietà and piety.
Meanings
(abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis) Ellipsis of what a pity.
From Middle English pitye, pitie, pittye, pitee, pite, from Anglo-Norman pité, pittee etc., from Old French pitet, pitié, from Latin pietās. See also the doublets pietà and piety.
Meanings
(uncountable) A feeling of sympathy at the misfortune or suffering of someone or something.
Shepard: The Reapers are more advanced than we are. More powerful. More intelligent. They don't fear us, and they'll never take pity on us. 2012, BioWare, Mass Effect 3 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Prologue: Earth:
take pity on someone
He[…]has no more pity in him than a dog. c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]:
The most usuall way to appease those minds we have offended […] is, by submission to move them to commiseration and pitty. , Folio Society, 2006, p.5
I can't feel any pity towards the gang, who got injured while attempting to break into a flat.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Proverbs 19:17:
(uncountable) Feeling of contempt one has for someone who is hopelessly inferior.
It is a thousand pities that no more detailed records than those of the guard's journals are available, but enough is known to establish them firmly among the finest feats ever achieved by "A3" Pacifics. 1941 September, O. S. Nock, “The Locomotives of Sir Nigel Gresley: Part V”, in Railway Magazine, page 395:
It's a pity you're feeling unwell because there's a party on tonight.
What a pity about the band breaking up. I loved them!
It was a thousand pities. 1759–1767, [Laurence Sterne], The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, volume (please specify |volume=I to IX), London: […] T. Becket and P. A. Dehondt, […]:
What pity is it / That we can die but once to serve our country! 1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act IV, scene i, page 53:
Euen so on the other syde a mans harte is contrite, when it is cutte with compunction, mollified with pitie and deuotion, moued with prayers and exhortation, is affraide by threatninges, allured by kindnes, ashamed of dishonesty, geuing place to Gods inspiration, […] 1558, Thomas Watson, Holsome and Catholyke doctryne concerninge the seuen Sacramentes of Chrystes Church, […], folio 105ᵛ:
The Church of Rome beyng moued neither with pitie, zeale, truth, reasõ, nor honesty, but onely with ambition and couetousnesse refuseth none, so they will shew thẽ selues to be of that Catholicke Church. Traytours, murtherers, theeues, coseners, cutters, adulters, baudes, strumpets and all other gracelesse persons may vpon the sayd cõditiõ haue safe accesse to Rome and be of that Church. 1579 July 19, John Dyos, A Sermon preached at Paules Crosse the 19. of Iuli 1579 […], published 1579, folios 48ᵛ–49ʳ:
A maruellous stoutnesse of a mans minde, accompanied vvith pitie tovvardes his countrie.
When Lucius Scilla had ouercom by force of armes the Citie of Preyneste he gaue leaue and commission to the Souldiers that they should destroye it, and kyll all the Citizens sauing his Host, meaning with this good turne to shewe himselfe thankfull vnto hym, for manye curtesies receiued of hym at other times in his lodging. But that valiant Citizen hering of this commission, went foorth incontinently out of his house disguised & preasing in among other of his countrimen, sayd, that he had rather die, than owe his life to the destroyer of his countrie. 1573, James Sanforde, transl., The Garden of Pleasure […], folio 58ᵛ:
es pena (something regrettable) · got 𐌱𐌻𐌴𐌹𐌸𐌴𐌹 (feeling of sympathy) · yi שאָד (something regrettable) · cs lítost (feeling of sympathy) · bg жа́лост (feeling of sympathy) · be жаль (feeling of sympathy) · hu szánalom (feeling of sympathy) · nap peccato (something regrettable) · pdt Jaumahoat (feeling of sympathy) · cy trueni (feeling of sympathy) · nl spijtig (something regrettable) · ja 残念 (something regrettable) · cmn see entry) 可惜 (something regrettable) · grc οἰκτιρμός (feeling of sympathy) · sk súcit (feeling of sympathy) · be жаль (something regrettable) · es piedad (feeling of sympathy) · ko 동정 (feeling of sympathy) · ru сострада́ние (feeling of sympathy) · sv medlidande (feeling of sympathy) · tr şefkat (feeling of sympathy) · es lástima (something regrettable) · grc ἔλεος (feeling of sympathy) · uk жа́лість (feeling of sympathy) · cmn 憐憫 /怜悯 (feeling of sympathy) · ga trua (feeling of sympathy) · fr pitié (feeling of sympathy) · gd oircheas (feeling of sympathy) · scn cumpiatà (feeling of sympathy) · ru сочу́вствие (feeling of sympathy) · ja 同情 (feeling of sympathy) · fi sääli (something regrettable) · grc ἐλεητύς (feeling of sympathy) · fi ikävä (something regrettable) · ug ئەپسۈس (feeling of sympathy) · uk жаль (something regrettable) · ga trua (something regrettable) · ro compătimire (feeling of sympathy) · th การสงสาร (feeling of sympathy) · sv medömkan (feeling of sympathy) · gd dìobhail (something regrettable) · grc οἶκτος (feeling of sympathy) · fr compassion (feeling of sympathy) · pl szkoda (something regrettable) · ajp شفقة (feeling of sympathy) · gl compaixón (feeling of sympathy) · el οίκτος (feeling of sympathy) · hi दया (feeling of sympathy) · tr acıma (feeling of sympathy) · ro păcat (something regrettable) · gd tròcair (feeling of sympathy) · da medlidenhed (feeling of sympathy) · hu kár (something regrettable) · pl litość (feeling of sympathy) · pt lástima (something regrettable) · gl mágoa (something regrettable) · la misericordia (feeling of sympathy) · mi aroha (feeling of sympathy) · te జాలి (feeling of sympathy) · eo kompato (feeling of sympathy) · ru жаль (something regrettable) · pt pena (something regrettable) · hu irgalom (feeling of sympathy) · gl pena (something regrettable) · cy trueni (something regrettable) · tr merhamet (feeling of sympathy) · mi whakaaroha (feeling of sympathy) · bg жал (something regrettable) · nl medelijden (feeling of sympathy) · ka სიბრალული (feeling of sympathy) · it peccato (something regrettable) · gd truacantas (feeling of sympathy) · es lástima (feeling of sympathy) · sa दया (feeling of sympathy) · be жа́ласць (feeling of sympathy) · gd truas (feeling of sympathy) · grc σπλάγχνον (feeling of sympathy) · uk жаль (feeling of sympathy) · eo domaĝo (something regrettable) · hu együttérzés (feeling of sympathy) · tl awa (feeling of sympathy) · sk škoda (something regrettable) · gl macela (feeling of sympathy) · it pietà (feeling of sympathy) · nl jammer (something regrettable) · mh būrom̧ōj (feeling of sympathy) · oc pietat (feeling of sympathy) · ja 憐れみ (feeling of sympathy) · cs soucit (feeling of sympathy) · hy խղճահարություն (feeling of sympathy) · nl deernis (feeling of sympathy) · ml സഹതാപം (feeling of sympathy) · grc ἐλεημοσύνη (feeling of sympathy) · cs škoda (something regrettable) · fy jammer (something regrettable) · pt pena (feeling of sympathy) · gl amerceamento (feeling of sympathy) · ota رحم (feeling of sympathy) · ka საწყენი (something regrettable) · ru жа́лость (feeling of sympathy) · ca llàstima (something regrettable) · be лі́тасць (feeling of sympathy) · de Mitleid (feeling of sympathy) · grc συμπάθεια (feeling of sympathy) · ka სამწუხარო (something regrettable) · th ความน่าเสียดาย (something regrettable) · fi sääli (feeling of sympathy) · ur افسوس (feeling of sympathy) · da synd (something regrettable) · txb karuṃ (feeling of sympathy) · hu könyörület (feeling of sympathy) · ur ہمدردی (feeling of sympathy) · mk жалост (feeling of sympathy) · pdt Jauma (feeling of sympathy) · ro compasiune (feeling of sympathy) · mh būrom̧ōj (something regrettable) · de schade (something regrettable) · ar شَفَقَة (feeling of sympathy) · rif aziǧez (feeling of sympathy) · gd iochd (feeling of sympathy) · ca pietat (feeling of sympathy) · arz شفقة (feeling of sympathy) · is samúð (feeling of sympathy) · pl współczucie (feeling of sympathy) · sk ľútosť (feeling of sympathy) · gd beud (something regrettable) · as পুতৌ (feeling of sympathy) · gl piedade (feeling of sympathy) · fr dommage (something regrettable) · sv synd (something regrettable) · fr honte (something regrettable) · ro milă (feeling of sympathy) · sa करुणा (feeling of sympathy) · ru сожале́ние (something regrettable)
From Middle English pitye, pitie, pittye, pitee, pite, from Anglo-Norman pité, pittee etc., from Old French pitet, pitié, from Latin pietās. See also the doublets pietà and piety.
Meanings
(transitive) To feel pity for (someone or something).
Nor could she get round them on a single point, and I pitied her so much that I bought bread and wine off her to console her, and I let her overcharge me, and went out into the afterglow with her benediction, followed also by the farewells of the middle-class, who were now taking their coffee at little tables outside the house. 1902, Hilaire Belloc, The Path to Rome:
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 103:13:
You have got to pity the guy - he lost his wife, mother and job in the same month.
Well! the King of France died pardoning & pitying all those who had tortured his Soul & Body, a great Pattern for us all. 1793 March 19, Hester Piozzi, Thraliana:
(transitive) To feel contempt for someone who is hopelessly inferior.
(regional, transitive) To make (someone) feel pity; to provoke the sympathy or compassion of.
She lenger yet is like captiv'd to bee; / That even to thinke thereof it inly pitties mee. 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto XI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
It pitieth them to see her in the dust. a. 1681, Richard Allestree, Of Gods Method in giving Deliverance:
la miseret (to feel pity for someone or something) · ja 気の毒に思う (to feel pity for someone or something) · ko 동정하다 (to feel pity for someone or something) · be лі́таваць (to feel pity for someone or something) · ru пожале́ть (to feel pity for someone or something) · cs mít soucit (s kým) (to feel pity for someone or something) · lad adjidear (to feel pity for someone or something) · fi sääliä (to feel pity for someone or something) · ur ترس آنا (to feel pity for someone or something) · cmn 可憐 /可怜 (to feel pity for someone or something) · grc ἐλεαίρω (to feel pity for someone or something) · cs litovat (to feel pity for someone or something) · grc ἐλεέω (to feel pity for someone or something) · cs být líto (koho) (to feel pity for someone or something) · hu megkönyörül (to feel pity for someone or something) · gl coudecer (to feel pity for someone or something) · ur ترس (to feel pity for someone or something) · eo kompati (to feel pity for someone or something) · vi tội (to feel pity for someone or something) · hi अनुकंपा (to feel pity for someone or something) · ko 안타까워하다 (to feel pity for someone or something) · el οικτίρω (to feel pity for someone or something) · ko 애처롭게 생각하다 (to feel pity for someone or something) · uk пошкодува́ти (to feel pity for someone or something) · es compadecer (se de) (to feel pity for someone or something) · be пашкадава́ць (to feel pity for someone or something) · th สงสาร (to feel pity for someone or something) · nl medelijden hebben met (to feel pity for someone or something) · pt apiedar-se de (to feel pity for someone or something) · pl pożałować (to feel pity for someone or something) · el λυπάμαι (to feel pity for someone or something) · sk mať súcit s (to feel pity for someone or something) · ar شَفِقَ (to feel pity for someone or something) · yue 可憐 /可怜 (to feel pity for someone or something) · ml സഹതപിക്കുക (to feel pity for someone or something) · la misereor (to feel pity for someone or something) · sk ľutovať (to feel pity for someone or something) · hu megesik rajta a szíve (to feel pity for someone or something) · uk шкодува́ти (to feel pity for someone or something) · ja 同情する (to feel pity for someone or something) · gl condoer (to feel pity for someone or something) · hy խղճալ (to feel pity for someone or something) · es apiadar (se de) (to feel pity for someone or something) · unm këtëmakelëma (to feel pity for someone or something) · sga ar·cessi (to feel pity for someone or something) · grc ὀλοφύρομαι (to feel pity for someone or something) · ko 불쌍히 생각하다 (to feel pity for someone or something) · pt sentir compaixão por (to feel pity for someone or something) · be шкадава́ць (to feel pity for someone or something) · grc οἰκτίρω (to feel pity for someone or something) · ga trua a bheith agat do (to feel pity for someone or something) · hu megszán (to feel pity for someone or something) · fr plaindre (to feel pity for someone or something) · es tener(le) lástima (to feel pity for someone or something) · de bemitleiden (to feel pity for someone or something) · zdj usikinia (to feel pity for someone or something) · ru жале́ть (to feel pity for someone or something) · es conmiserar (se de) (to feel pity for someone or something) · it compatire (to feel pity for someone or something) · he רָחַם (to feel pity for someone or something) · uk жалі́ти (to feel pity for someone or something) · mi whakaaroha (to feel pity for someone or something) · pt sentir dó de (to feel pity for someone or something) · es condoler (se de) (to feel pity for someone or something) · mh būrom̧ōj (to feel pity for someone or something) · uk жа́лувати (to feel pity for someone or something) · gl amercear (to feel pity for someone or something) · txb wärs- (to feel pity for someone or something) · sv tycka synd om (to feel pity for someone or something) · pl żałować (to feel pity for someone or something) · uk пожалі́ти (to feel pity for someone or something) · chr ᎦᏙᎵᎦ (to feel pity for someone or something) · grc οἰμώζω (to feel pity for someone or something) · vi tội nghiệp (to feel pity for someone or something) · fr avoir pitié de (to feel pity for someone or something)