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take pity

 - 2 dictionary results

pit⋅y

  [pit-ee] noun, plural pit⋅ies, verb, pit⋅ied, pit⋅y⋅ing.
Use take pity in a Sentence
–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.
–verb (used without object)
4. to have compassion; feel pity.
—Idiom
5. have or take pity. to show mercy or compassion.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME pite < OF pite, earlier pitet < L pietāt- (s. of pietās) piety

Synonyms:
1. commiseration, compassion. See sympathy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

pity  (n.)
c.1225, 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. Eng. pity and piety were not fully distinguished until 17c. The verb meaning "to feel pity for" is attested from 1529. Pitiful is c.1303 in sense of "compassionate" (implied in pitifully); c.1460 in sense of "exciting or deserving pity;" 1582 in sense of "mean, wretched, contemptible."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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