pathetic

Etymology

From Middle French pathétique, from Latin patheticus, from Ancient Greek παθητικός (pathētikós, “subject to feeling, capable of feeling, impassioned”), from παθητός (pathētós, “one who has suffered, subject to suffering”), from πάσχω (páskhō, “to suffer”).

adj

1. Arousing pity, sympathy, or compassion; exciting pathos.
   The child’s pathetic pleas for forgiveness stirred the young man’s heart.
   We have now arrived at one of the most pathetic and glorious events in the history of Israel, one which sanctifies the Lamanite race with the powers of martyrdom, and, by the blood of the victims, washes its garments white from many a former sin. 1883, George Reynolds, “History of the Book of Mormon: Contents of the Records, II,”, in Contributor
   There was no hospital, or any accommodation for the sick men. Each mate nursed his fellow, and some strikingly pathetic touches of devotion were shown here and there amongst them. 1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 150
2. Arousing scorn or contempt, often due to miserable inadequacy.
   You can't even run two miles? That’s pathetic.
   You're almost 26 years old and you still can't hold a real job? That's pathetic.
   Well you'd better think of something because middle-aged tramps aren't cute, they're pathetic. 2005, In Her Shoes
3. (obsolete) Expressing or showing anger; passionate.
   On a certain Good Friday, in what year we are not told, an especially moving and pathetic sermon was preached in the Cathedral by Father John Texeda, upon the sufferings of our Lord. 1894, A. M. Clarke, The Life of Saint Francis Borgia, page 95
4. (anatomy) Trochlear.