Pity and Piety Were Once the Same Word
Pity is sorrow at another's suffering. It split from a word meaning religious duty.
Pity is sorrow caused by another's suffering, and also a regrettable fact, as in *what a pity*. It and *piety* are the same Latin word, *pietas*, meaning dutiful devotion to gods and family. English took it twice: once through French as *pity*, keeping the sense of compassion that duty implies, and once directly from Latin as *piety*, keeping the religious sense. Pity has since acquired an edge of condescension that *compassion* avoids, which is why nobody wants to be pitied.
- Sorrow for suffering. *Moved to pity.*
- A regrettable thing. *What a pity.*
- To feel pity. *Pitying them.*
- Piety — the doublet. *Piety.*
- Latin — *pietas*. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | pity | Pity. |
| Verb | pity | Pitying. |
| Adjective | pitiful | Pitiful. |
| Adjective | piteous | Piteous. |
| Latin | pietas | Devotion. |
- She felt pity for him.Emotion.
- What a pity.Regret.
- Piety is the same word.Etymology.
Doublets: one word borrowed twice
- Pity and piety — from Latin *pietas*
- Frail and fragile — from *fragilis*
- Royal and regal — from *regalis*
- Poor and pauper — from *pauper*
- The French form is usually the homelier one
Old French *pite*, from Latin *pietas*, dutiful conduct or compassion.
Are pity and piety related?
Yes. Both come from Latin pietas. English borrowed it through French as pity and directly from Latin as piety.
Why does pity sound condescending?
Because it implies looking down from a position of safety, where compassion suggests feeling alongside.