Definition of "pathetic"

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

She held his hand in one of hers, but she too was dozing, and the two made a pretty, or rather a pathetic, picture.

1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887

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

Well you'd better think of something because middle-aged tramps aren't cute, they're pathetic.

2005, In Her Shoes

Look, I-I hate to sound like Billy Baldwin’s agent, but you can’t just copy everything that ALEC does! It’s pathetic!”

2014 November 2, Tim Carvell [et al.], “State Legislatures and ALEC”, in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, season 1, episode 23, John Oliver (actor), Warner Bros. Television, via HBO

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