piteous

adjective

1. evoking or deserving pity; pathetic: piteous cries for help.
2. Archaic. compassionate.

adjective

1. exciting or deserving pity
2. archaic having or expressing pity

adj.c.1300, from Anglo-French pitous, Old French pitos “pious; merciful, compassionate, moved to pity; pitiful” (12c., Modern French piteux), from Medieval Latin pietosus “merciful, pitiful,” in Vulgar Latin “dutiful,” from Latin pietas “dutiful conduct, compassion” (see piety). Related: Piteously; piteousness.