Piteousness is a noun that refers to the quality of evoking feelings of pity and sympathy. It is pronounced /ˈpɪt.i.əs.nəs/ and spelled with the letter "i" in the second syllable, which represents the short vowel sound /ɪ/. This sound is followed by the letters "ous" which represent a suffix meaning "full of" or "having the quality of". The final syllable is pronounced with the stress on the second-to-last syllable, making it a three-syllable word.
Piteousness is a noun that refers to the state or quality of evoking or deserving pity or compassion. It describes a feeling of sadness, sympathy, or empathy towards someone or something that is in a situation of great hardship, suffering, or distress. When someone or something is characterized by piteousness, it means they elicit strong emotions of pity, often due to being in a pitiful state or experiencing unfortunate circumstances beyond their control.
The term piteousness emphasizes the ability to elicit heartfelt compassion and compel others to respond with acts of kindness or comfort. It is often associated with situations involving extreme physical or emotional anguish, vulnerability, or misfortune. Piteousness may arise from witnessing a person's or animal's suffering, poverty, abandonment, extreme weakness, or even experiencing a tragic event.
Piteousness is a quality that reflects the inherent human inclination to empathize and alleviate the suffering of others. It appeals to the better side of our nature, arousing sympathy and nurturing the innate desire to offer assistance, understanding, or solace.
Overall, piteousness is a characteristic that signifies the capacity to elicit pity and inspire compassion towards the plight of others, highlighting our shared humanity and promoting empathy in the face of adversity.
The state of being piteous.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "piteousness" is derived from the Middle English word "piteous", which itself comes from the Old French word "piteux" or "pitös". In turn, the Old French term originated from the Latin word "pietōsus", meaning "pious" or "compassionate". The Latin word "pietōsus" derived from "pius", which denoted a sense of religious devotion, moral duty, and compassion. Over time, "piteous" evolved to describe something that evokes pity, sadness, or compassion, and "piteousness" emerged as a noun form to convey the quality or state of being piteous.