pathetic

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective deserving or inciting pity; ; ; - Galsworthy
  2. adjective inspiring mixed contempt and pity
  3. adjective inspiring scornful pity; - Dashiell Hammett

Etymology

From Middle French pathétique, from Latin patheticus, from Ancient Greek παθητικός (pathētikós, “subject to feeling, capable of feeling, impassioned”), from παθητός (pathētós, “one who has suffered, subject to suffering”), from πάσχω (páskhō, “to suffer”). By surface analysis, path- + -etic.

In classic literature

Synonyms

hapless, miserable, misfortunate, piteous, pitiable, pitiful, poor, wretched

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