pitiful

adjective

1. 1

   So appalling or sad that one feels or should feel sorry for it; eliciting pity.

   Scotland has a pitiful climate.

2. 2

   Eliciting contempt.

3. 3

   Of an amount or number: very small.

   A pitiful number of students bothered to turn up.

4. 4

   archaicFeeling pity; merciful.

   Some ſay that Rauens foſter forlorne children, / The vvhilſt their ovvne birds famiſh in their neſts: / Oh be to me though thy hard hart ſay no, / Nothing ſo kinde but ſomething pittifull.

   Straightway, he now goes on to make a full confession; whereupon the mariners became more and more appalled, but still are pitiful.

adverb

1. 1

   In a pitiful manner; pitifully; piteously; pathetically.

   ‘She followed ’em, cryin’ pitiful, to the old boat on the Wall[.]’

Forms

comparative

pitifuller, more pitiful

superlative

pitifullest, most pitiful