— pathetically , adv. — patheticalness , n.
/peuh thet"ik/ adj.
1. causing or evoking pity, sympathetic sadness, sorrow, etc.; pitiful; pitiable: a pathetic letter; a pathetic sight.
2. affecting or moving the feelings.
3. pertaining to or caused by the feelings.
4. miserably or contemptibly inadequate: In return for our investment we get a pathetic three percent interest.
Also, pathetical .
[ 1590-1600; patheticus pathetikós sensitive equiv. to pathet(ós) made or liable to suffer (verbid of páschein to suffer + -ikos -IC ]
Syn. 1. plaintive. 2. touching, tender. 3. emotional.