Felt or showed sympathy and sorrow for someone in an unfortunate situation.
From Old French 'pité,' derived from Latin 'pietas' (dutiful conduct, compassion). The sense of sympathetic sorrow developed in the Middle Ages.
Feeling pity is complicated—it's compassion, but it can also feel patronizing. That's why some people prefer 'empathy' which suggests truly understanding someone rather than looking down at their troubles.
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