Definition of pathos Pathos

/pejˈθɑs/ - [peythas] - pa•thos

We found 10 definitions of pathos from 5 different sources.

What does pathos mean?

Noun Plural: pathoses
pathos - a quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow); "the film captured all the pathos of their situation"
		poignancy
		quality an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone; "the quality of mercy is not strained"--Shakespeare
pathos - a style that has the power to evoke feelings
pathos - a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others; "the blind are too often objects of pity"
		commiseration, pity, ruth
		fellow feeling, sympathy an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion; "his sympathies were always with the underdog"; "I knew I could count on his understanding"

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pathos (Noun)
That 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.
pathos (Noun)
A writer's attempt to persuade an audience through appeals involving the use of strong emotions not strictly limited to pity.
pathos (Noun)
An author's attempt to evoke a feeling of pity or sympathetic sorrow for a character.
pathos (Noun)
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.

pathos (n.)
That quality or property of anything which touches the feelings or excites emotions and passions, esp., that which awakens tender emotions, such as pity, sorrow, and the like; contagious warmth of feeling, action, or expression; pathetic quality; as, the pathos of a picture, of a poem, or of a cry.

pathos
pā′thos, n. that in anything (as a word, a look, &c.) which touches the feelings or raises the tender emotions: the expression of deep feeling.—n. Pathom′etry, the distinction of suffering into different kinds. [Gr., from pathein, 2 aorist of paschein, to suffer, feel.]