■ noun ( plural pities )
1》 a feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the sufferings of others.
2》 a cause for regret or disappointment: what a ~.
■ verb ( pities , ~ing , pitied ) feel ~ for.
Phrases
for ~'s sake informal used to express impatience or make an urgent appeal.
more's the ~ informal used to express regret.
Derivatives
~ing adjective
~ingly adverb
Origin
ME: from OFr. pite 'compassion', from L. pietas 'piety'.