pitiful

So appalling or sad that one feels or should feel sorry for it; eliciting pity.

Scotland has a pitiful climate.

Of an amount or number: very small.

A pitiful number of students bothered to turn up.

Feeling pity; merciful.

Some ſay that Rauens foſter forlorne children, / The vvhilſt their ovvne birds famiſh in their neſts: / Oh be to me though thy hard hart ſay no, / Nothing ſo kinde but ſomething pittifull.

Straightway, he now goes on to make a full confession; whereupon the mariners became more and more appalled, but still are pitiful.

In a pitiful manner; pitifully; piteously; pathetically.

‘She followed ’em, cryin’ pitiful, to the old boat on the Wall[.]’