ruth·ful \ˈrüthfəl\adjective Etymology: Middle English rewtheful, routheful, rutheful, from rewthe, routhe, ruthe pity + -ful — more at ruth 1.: full of ruth : pitiful, tender < had never known a woman so ruthful — Budd Schulberg > 2.: full of sorrow : woeful, rueful < a ruthful smile — Times Literary Supplement > 3.: causing sorrow • ruth·ful·nessnoun-es