a. [ L. patheticus, Gr. paqhtiko`s, fr. paqei^n, pa`schein, to suffer: cf. F. pathétique. See Pathos. ] 1. Expressing or showing anger; passionate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Affecting or moving the tender emotions, esp. pity or grief; full of pathos; as, a pathetic song or story. “Pathetic action.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
No theory of the passions can teach a man to be pathetic. E. Porter. [ 1913 Webster ]
Pathetic muscle (Anat.), the superior oblique muscle of the eye. --
Pathetic nerve (Anat.), the fourth cranial, or trochlear, nerve, which supplies the superior oblique, or pathetic, muscle of the eye. --
The pathetic, a style or manner adapted to arouse the tender emotions. [ 1913 Webster ]