from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Pitiful \Pit"i*ful\, a.
1. Full of pity; tender-hearted; compassionate; kind;
merciful; sympathetic.
[1913 Webster]
The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
--James v. 11.
[1913 Webster]
2. Piteous; lamentable; eliciting compassion.
[1913 Webster]
A thing, indeed, very pitiful and horrible.
--Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
3. To be pitied for littleness or meanness; miserable;
paltry; contemptible; despicable.
[1913 Webster]
That's villainous, and shows a most pitiful ambition
in the fool that uses it. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Despicable; mean; paltry. See {Contemptible}.
[1913 Webster] -- {Pit"i*ful*ly}, adv. --
{Pit"i*ful*ness}, n.
[1913 Webster]