Associations to the word «Pitiful»

Wiktionary

PITIFUL, adjective. (now rare) Feeling pity; merciful.
PITIFUL, adjective. So appalling or sad that one feels or should feel sorry for it; eliciting pity.
PITIFUL, adjective. Very small (of an amount or number).

Dictionary definition

PITIFUL, adjective. Inspiring mixed contempt and pity; "their efforts were pathetic"; "pitiable lack of character"; "pitiful exhibition of cowardice".
PITIFUL, adjective. Bad; unfortunate; "my finances were in a deplorable state"; "a lamentable decision"; "her clothes were in sad shape"; "a sorry state of affairs".
PITIFUL, adjective. Deserving or inciting pity; "a hapless victim"; "miserable victims of war"; "the shabby room struck her as extraordinarily pathetic"- Galsworthy; "piteous appeals for help"; "pitiable homeless children"; "a pitiful fate"; "Oh, you poor thing"; "his poor distorted limbs"; "a wretched life".

Wise words

Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the manner in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied. Even the interpretation and use of words involves a process of free creation.
Noam Chomsky