pit"i*ful*ness

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]