adj.
Pronunciation: p ə - ' the-tik
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French pathetique, from Late Latin patheticus, from Greek path ē tikos capable of feeling, pathetic, from paschein (aor. pathein ) to experience, suffer ― more at PATHOS
Date: 1598
1 : having a capacity to move one to either compassionate or contemptuous pity
2 : marked by sorrow or melancholy : SAD
3 : pitifully inferior or inadequate <the restaurant's pathetic service>
4 : ABSURD , LAUGHABLE <a pathetic costume>
synonyms see MOVING
– pa · thet · i · cal \ -ti-k ə l \ adjective
– pa · thet · i · cal · ly \ -ti-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb