Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- In a pitiful manner.
- With compassion.
- So as to excite pity; wretchedly.
- Contemptibly.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adverb In a
pitiful manner.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adverb to a pitiful degree
Etymologies
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Examples
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He was a thin-faced creature, rheumy of eye, and drawing his breath as from a well; the ferret of the village for all underlying scandal and tattle, whose sole humanity was what he called pitifully 'a peakin 'at his chest, and who had retired from his business of grocer in the village upon the fortune brought to him in the energy and capacity of a third wife to conduct affairs, while he wandered up and down and knitted people together -- an estimable office in a land where your house is so grievously your castle.
Complete Project Gutenberg Works of George Meredith George Meredith 1868
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He was a thin-faced creature, rheumy of eye, and drawing his breath as from a well; the ferret of the village for all underlying scandal and tattle, whose sole humanity was what he called pitifully 'a peakin 'at his chest, and who had retired from his business of grocer in the village upon the fortune brought to him in the energy and capacity of a third wife to conduct affairs, while he wandered up and down and knitted people together -- an estimable office in a land where your house is so grievously your castle.
Rhoda Fleming — Volume 2 George Meredith 1868
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After mystifying doctors and caving in pitifully and feeling far too sorry for myself for a few weeks, I suddenly gathered some resolve together and took to all-night reading.
My friend Peggy 2007
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After mystifying doctors and caving in pitifully and feeling far too sorry for myself for a few weeks, I suddenly gathered some resolve together and took to all-night reading.
My friend Peggy 2007
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After mystifying doctors and caving in pitifully and feeling far too sorry for myself for a few weeks, I suddenly gathered some resolve together and took to all-night reading.
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The prisoners still stared pitifully from the bars – daily expecting release, daily disappointed.
High Albania Mary Edith 1909
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And in the dream, he called pitifully to Eleanor, "She won't let us work up to a climax!
The Foolish Lovers St. John G. Ervine 1927
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I trotted after it and called pitifully to Josh as I picked it up.
The Ex Games JENNIFER ECHOLS 2009
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I trotted after it and called pitifully to Josh as I picked it up.
The Ex Games JENNIFER ECHOLS 2009
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I trotted after it and called pitifully to Josh as I picked it up.
The Ex Games JENNIFER ECHOLS 2009
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