Added 9 October 2026
pity
/ˈpɪt.i/ noun
In Latin: misericordia Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about pity at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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A feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others.
the blind are too often objects of pity
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An unfortunate development.
it's a pity he couldn't do it
- The humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it.
verb
Origin
From Middle English pitye, pitie, pittye, pitee, pite, from Anglo-Norman pité, pittee etc., from Old French pitet, pitié, from Latin pietās. See also the doublets pietà and piety.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)