PATHETIC


Meaning of PATHETIC in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ pə-ˈthe-tik ]

adjective

Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French pathetique, from Late Latin patheticus, from Greek pathētikos capable of feeling, pathetic, from paschein (aorist 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-kəl adjective

• pa·thet·i·cal·ly -ti-k(ə-)lē adverb

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.