a. [ L. piceus, fr. pix, picis, pitch. ] Of or pertaining to pitch; resembling pitch in color or quality; pitchy. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OE. pitous, OF. pitos, F. piteux. See Pity. ] 1. Pious; devout. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The Lord can deliver piteous men from temptation. Wyclif. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Evincing pity, compassion, or sympathy; compassionate; tender. “[ She ] piteous of his case.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

She was so charitable and so pitous. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Fitted to excite pity or sympathy; wretched; miserable; lamentable; sad; as, a piteous case. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

The most piteous tale of Lear. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Paltry; mean; pitiful. “Piteous amends.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Sorrowful; mournful; affecting; doleful; woeful; rueful; sad; wretched; miserable; pitiable; pitiful; compassionate. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Pit"e*ous*ly, adv. -- Pit"e*ous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]