Rueful \Rue"ful\ (r[udd]"f[.u]l), a. 1. Causing one to rue or lament; woeful; mournful; sorrowful. [1913 Webster] 2. Expressing sorrow. "Rueful faces." --Dryden. [1913 Webster] Two rueful figures, with long black cloaks. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster] -- {Rue"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Rue"ful*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]