[mis.er.a.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L miserabilis wretched, pitiable, fr. miserari to pity, fr. miser] (15c) 1: being in a pitiable state of distress or unhappiness (as from want or shame) "~ refugees"
2. a: wretchedly inadequate or meager "a ~ hovel" b: causing extreme discomfort or unhappiness "a ~ situation"
3: being likely to discredit or shame "his ~ neglect of his wife" "it was ~ of you to make fun of him" -- miserable n -- mis.er.a.ble.ness n -- mis.er.a.bly adv