pathetically

From pathetic +‎ -ally.

• IPA^(key): /pəˈθɛtɪkli/

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pathetically (comparative more pathetically, superlative most pathetically)

1. In a pathetic manner; piteously.
   • 1838, Littell's Spirit of the Magazines and Annuals, page 486:

     Young, pretty, an orphan — and under such circumstances, she told her weeping tale so pathetically, so mildly, and so unhatingly towards the prisoners at the bar, that all admired, praised, loved her.

   • 1880, John Nichol, Byron‎^[1]:

     The sails were split, the mainyard shivered, the wind blowing fresh, the night setting in; and all our chance was to make for Corfu--or, as F. pathetically called it, 'a watery grave.'

   • 1935, Lloyd C. Douglas, chapter 8, in Green Light‎^[2], London: Peter Davies, page 137:

     Parker bared the arm, polished a little spot with a wisp of cotton saturated with alcohol, grasped the pathetically flabby skin with experienced fingers; and, tipping up the syringe, pushed the piston gently to expel the air.

   • 2007 April 8, Bill Cameron, chapter 8, in Lost Dog (Skin Kadash; 1), Woodbury, Minn.: Midnight Ink, →ISBN, page 102:

     Well, before you have to ask and get all blushy again, I'll take you home, since you're so pathetically without wheels.