pity

The story

1. Latin · derived frompietās
2. Old French · derived frompitet
3. Anglo-Norman · derived frompité
4. Middle English · inherited frompitye
5. English todaypity

From Middle English pitye, pitie, pittye, pitee, pite, from Anglo-Norman pité, pittee etc., from Old French pitet, pitié, from Latin pietās. See also the doublets pietà and piety.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 15th c. To feel pity for (someone or something).
• from 16th c. To make (someone) feel pity; to provoke the sympathy or compassion of.