| 释义 |
pitifully, adv.|ˈpɪtɪfʊlɪ|
[f. prec. + -ly2.]
In a pitiful manner.
1. With compassion; compassionately, mercifully.
1303R. Brunne Handl. Synne 1494 (MS. Harl.), Ȝyf he demeþ pytyffully [MS. Dulw. pytously] At hys demyng getyþ he mercy. 1548–9(Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Litany, Pytifully beholde the sorowes of our heart. 1612T. Taylor Comm. Titus i. 6 He shall more patiently and pitifully deale against it. 1885H. V. Barnett in Mag. Art Sept. 454/2 He..thought pitifully of her in her affliction.
2. In a way that awakens or deserves pity; piteously, lamentably, wretchedly, miserably.
c1420Siege of Rouen in Collect. Lond. Cit. (Camden) 3 Gonnys they schott with grete envye, And many were smytte pyttyfully. c1440Alphabet of Tales 286 He hard a voyce cry petifullie. 1568Grafton Chron. II. 754 He was with mischarging of a speare,..pittifully slayne and brought to death. 1625K. Long tr. Barclay's Argenis ii. x. 93 Pitifully requesting the succour of the passers by. 1678Bunyan Pilgr. i. 127 They beat them pitifully. 1722De Foe Plague (Rtldg.) 117 She cry'd and look'd pitifully. 1884Manch. Exam. 29 Mar. 4/8 The widow, whose career of wedded happiness has been so pitifully cut short.
3. Contemptibly, meanly, meagrely; miserably.
1613Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 215 Her teares (how pitifully easie are they to some?). 1638Junius Paint. Ancients 28 To prove..how pitifully poore and ridiculous the first workes of Art have been. 1719London & Wise Compl. Gard. 243 Strawberry Plants..in the second Year they bear wonderfully; but that being past, they produce very pitifully. 1742H. Walpole Lett. to Mann (1834) I. 139 The Secret Committee go on very pitifully. |