different between trying vs pathetic

English

Etymology

try +? -ing

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?t?a?.??/

Adjective

trying (comparative more trying, superlative most trying)

1. Difficult to endure; arduous.
2. Irritating, stressful or bothersome.

Translations

Verb

trying

1. present participle of try

Noun

trying (plural tryings)

1. (philosophy) The act by which one tries something; an attempt.

Anagrams

• tyring

English

Alternative forms

• pathetick (archaic)
• patheticke (obsolete)
• pathetique (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle French pathétique, from Latin patheticus, from Ancient Greek ????????? (path?tikós, “subject to feeling, capable of feeling, impassioned”), from ??????? (path?tós, “one who has suffered, subject to suffering”), from ????? (páskh?, “to suffer”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p????t?k/
• Rhymes: -?t?k

Adjective

pathetic (comparative more pathetic, superlative most pathetic)

1. Arousing pity, sympathy, or compassion; exciting pathos.

   The child’s pathetic pleas for forgiveness stirred the young man’s heart.

   • 1883: George Reynolds, "History of the Book of Mormon: Contents of the Records, II," Contributor

     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.
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.
3. (obsolete) Expressing or showing anger; passionate.
4. (anatomy) Trochlear.

Synonyms

• (arousing pity): pitiful, wretched, miserable, deplorable, pathetisad
• (arousing scorn): disgraceful, shameful, despicable, dishonorable

Derived terms

• patheticism
• patheticness
• pathetics

Related terms

• pathos

Translations

Further reading

• pathetic in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• pathetic in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.