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

Words are always getting conventionalized to some secondary meaning. It is one of the works of poetry to take the truants in custody and bring them back to their right senses.
William Butler Yeats