Nearby Words

pities

[pit-ee] Origin

pit·y

[pit-ee] noun, plural pit·ies, verb, pit·ied, pit·y·ing.
noun
1.
sympathetic or kindly sorrow evoked by the suffering, distress, or misfortune of another, often leading one to give relief or aid or to show mercy: to feel pity for astarving child.
2.
a cause or reason for pity, sorrow, or regret: What a pity you could not go!
verb (used with object)
3.
to feel pity or compassion for; be sorry for; commiserate with.

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Pities is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
verb (used without object)
4.
to have compassion; feel pity.
5.
have/take pity, to show mercy or compassion.

Origin:
1175–1225; Middle English pite < Old French pite, earlier pitet < Latin pietāt- (stem of pietās) piety

out·pit·y, verb (used with object), -pit·ied, -pit·y·ing.
un·pit·ied, adjective


1. commiseration, compassion. See sympathy.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

pity
early 13c., from O.Fr. pite, pitet (11c., Mod.Fr. pitié), from L. pietatem (nom. pietas) "piety, affection, duty," in L.L. "gentleness, kindness, pity," from pius (see pious). Replaced O.E. mildheortness, lit. "mild-heartness," itself a loan-translation of L. misericordia.
EXPAND
English pity and piety were not fully distinguished until 17c. The verb meaning "to feel pity for" is attested from 1520s. Pitiful is c.1300 in sense of "compassionate" (implied in pitifully); mid-15c. in sense of "exciting or deserving pity;" 1580s in sense of "mean, wretched, contemptible."
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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