adj.
Pronunciation: ' rü-f ə l
Function: adjective
Date: 13th century
1 : exciting pity or sympathy : PITIABLE < rueful squalid poverty ⋯ by every wayside ― John Morley>
2 : MOURNFUL , REGRETFUL <troubled her with a rueful disquiet ― W. M. Thackeray>
– rue · ful · ly \ -f ə -l ē \ adverb
– rue · ful · ness noun