a. 1. Full of pity; tender-hearted; compassionate; kind; merciful; sympathetic. [ 1913 Webster ]
The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. James v. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Piteous; lamentable; eliciting compassion. [ 1913 Webster ]
A thing, indeed, very pitiful and horrible. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. To be pitied for littleness or meanness; miserable; paltry; contemptible; despicable. [ 1913 Webster ]
That's villainous, and shows a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Syn. -- Despicable; mean; paltry. See Contemptible. [ 1913 Webster ]
-- Pit"i*ful*ly, adv. -- Pit"i*ful*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]