pathos

Meaning

Noun

  • The quality or property of anything which touches the feelings or excites emotions and passions, especially that which awakens tender emotions, such as pity, sorrow, and the like; contagious warmth of feeling, action, or expression; pathetic quality.
  • A writer or speaker's attempt to persuade an audience through appeals involving the use of strong emotions such as pity.
  • An author's attempt to evoke a feeling of pity or sympathetic sorrow for a character.
  • In theology and existentialist ethics following Kierkegaard and Heidegger, a deep and abiding commitment of the heart, as in the notion of "finding your passion" as an important aspect of a fully lived, engaged life.
  • Suffering; the enduring of active stress or affliction.

Origin

  • From Ancient Greek πάθος.

Modern English dictionary

Explore and search massive catalog of over 900,000 word meanings.

Word of the Day

Get a curated memorable word every day.

Challenge yourself

Level up your vocabulary by setting personal goals.

And much more

Try out Vedaist now.