ruefulness

Noun

Synonyms: sorrow regret rue

WordNet 3.0

sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment“he drank to drown his sorrows”“he wrote a note expressing his regret”“to his rue, the error cost him the game”Synonyms: sorrow regret rue

Rueful \Rue"ful\ (r[udd]"f[.u]l), a.

1.Causing one to rue or lament; woeful; mournful; sorrowful. [1913 Webster]

2.Expressing sorrow. "Rueful faces." --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

Two rueful figures, with long black cloaks. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster] -- Rue"ful*ly, adv. -- Rue"ful*ness, n. [1913 Webster]