pathos

[ pey-thos, -thohs, -thaws ]

noun

1. the quality or power in an actual life experience or in literature, music, speech, or other forms of expression, of evoking a feeling of pity, or of sympathetic and kindly sorrow or compassion.
2. pity.
3. Obsolete. suffering.

pathos

/ ˈpeɪθɒs /

noun

1. the quality or power, esp in literature or speech, of arousing feelings of pity, sorrow, etc
2. a feeling of sympathy or pity

   a stab of pathos

Word History and Origins

Origin of pathos¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Greek páthos “suffering, sensation, experience,” akin to páschein “to suffer, feel, be affected”; pathetic ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pathos¹

C17: from Greek: suffering; related to penthos sorrow

Example Sentences

His emphasis on “historic” did not have a tone of dread, pathos, or regret.

From Salon

In Mack's telling, which is very emotional with a lot of pathos, like he's going to cry, the imaginary sheriff comes and asks Rosa Parks if he can escort her home.

From Salon

Aguilar also became a huge concert attraction across the Americas with a gentlemanly vocal style that harks back to 20th century Mexico — an intoxicating blend of jubilant ranchera and misty bolero pathos.

From Los Angeles Times

O'Hara brings weight and pathos to a role that so easily could have been a well-acted but toothless reprisal, and she does so effortlessly.

From Salon

Edelstein is taking his cues from the text, though his cast sometimes struggles when the bellicose mood switches abruptly into high pathos.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• emotion
• passion
• poignancy