c. 1300, "merciful, compassionate" (implied in pitifully), from pity + -ful. Sense of "exciting or deserving pity" is from mid-15c.; that of "mean, wretched, contemptible" is 1580s. Related: Pitifulness.
双语例句
1. Mace still remembers the pitiful wailing of the trapped and the wounded.
梅斯依然还记得那些被困者和受伤者的令人同情的哀号.
来自柯林斯例句
2. She heard him let out a pitiful, muffled groan.
她听到他发出一声令人悲悯的低沉的呻吟声。
来自柯林斯例句
3. He sounded both pitiful and eager to get what he wanted.
他听起来既可怜兮兮的，又对想要的东西充满渴望。
来自柯林斯例句
4. No one could look at such a pitiful sight with dry eyes.
见此惨状,无不落泪.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
5. The girl's pitiful history would wring one's withers.
