Home US English ruthful

Definition of ruthful in English:

ruthful

Pronunciation /ˈruːθf(ʊ)l/

adjective

archaic

  • 1Full of compassion or pity; compassionate; merciful. Also as noun (with the with plural agreement): those people who are compassionate or merciful.

  • 2That excites compassion or pity; lamentable, piteous. Of sounds, actions, a person's expression, etc.

Origin

Middle English; earliest use found in St. Margaret. From ruth + -ful.