rueful

English

adj

Definitions

Causing, feeling, or expressing regret or sorrow, especially in a wry or humorous way.
Inspiring pity or compassion.
Bad; woeful; deplorable.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English ruful suffix from English rue.

Origin

English

rue

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms

bushrue English
meadowrue English
rue English
rue-bargain English
ruefully English
ruefulness English
ruesome English
ruly English
ruth English
unrueful English
rewe Middle English
ruful Middle English